Aria: a Memoir of a Bilingual Childhood -- Interpretive Essay.
Why does the author believe that it is not possible for children to use their "family language" in school?.
In paragraph 4 of Aria: a Memoir of a Bilingual Childhood, the author, Richard Rodriguez, states that "It is not possible for a child, any child, ever to use his family's language in school." I would think that the author would feel it more advantageous to go through school speaking his primary language, or family language. It seems that the child would gain more understanding for what is being taught during the class if he has a firm grasp on the language. It became apparent by reading the text, that it is important for a child to learn textbook English, and set aside his family language in order to belong and contribute in the American society.
If a child grows up associating the English language with "los gringos" rather than understanding that he too is a member of "los gringos" society, then he will always remain part of the "socially disadvantaged." In paragraph 19 the author discussed his thoughts of Spanish as a private language and English as the public language. He claims that these thoughts "deepened and strengthened" his feelings of public separateness. He did not have the desire to blend in with the other students and make the effort to learn to speak English, the "public language." He continued to separate himself from the English speakers that he encountered on a daily basis.
A child will have more confidence in himself if he is able to speak English, the "public language." When his father spoke in Spanish there was no hesitation, no loss of words and his voice was strong and powerful. In paragraph 13 the author recalled how uneasy he felt when he heard his father speaking in English to a teenage gas station attendant. He remembered growing nervous as he listened to his father struggling with words and stressing to assure that his listener understood the meaning of his words.