Talking Points #2

Argument: Aria 
Author: Richard Rodriguez


I think the author, Richard Rodriquez is trying to argue that a language, in this case, bilingual language shows a person. If you do not let that person show their language or languages, you can not see the real person. An example of this is that he talks about how there are two differences; 1) language at school (english) and 2) language at home. Richard's teachers came to his house and basically asked his parents if they could practice the English language and the Spanish language. They were practically telling them that they need to speak a second language to them at home where they would like to speak their first language, Spanish.


At first, I thought that it was rude for teachers coming into the Rodriguez home and telling them to speak English at home. Then as I continued reading I realized the teachers just wanted the author to be better at the English language. This confirms the argument that language shows a persons personality. Many people could have taken this the wrong way, but his family took it the positive way and corrected it.


I think that most families that speak English as a second language should follow in the Rodriguez's foot steps. They took the information and made sure to correct it and i think that shows a huge will and power to do anything that they put their mind to. In class, I would like to discuss that most families should be like this family, especially because the author shows how much of a good impact this has had on them. Not only will it help them now, but it will definitely help them in the long run.