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To my family being able to speak Spanish is almost a requirement. It is the only language spoke at home, and it’s my first language. My first words were in Spanish, or at least that’s what my parents say. When someone speaks English at home it almost feels awkward, and very out of place. Language is essential to my identity because to me it is important to maintain that connection to your roots. Disregarding that the Spanish colonized and imposed their culture on the indigenous people of Central America, and for that reason I am limited to Spanish. In my perspective the ability to speak Spanish is one of the few cultural connection I have with my people and parents places of origin.
The strongest advocate for Spanish in my family is my father, he will purposely attempt to squeeze any amount of Spanish form anyone. My father use to make my do Spanish language exercises out of a book, and make me read him the Nicaraguan news paper, El Nuevo Diario, out loud. As much as I hated it as a child, I’m very glad that my parents raised me with Spanish, and made sure I spoke it. Something that I’ve noticed that is disappointing is that my nephew refuses to speak the language because he feels ashamed. This internalized form of racism seems to be growing common among the Spanish speaking American community.
Like my father, I will attempt to speak to my children in Spanish only and hope project to them my views on the importance of their identity.
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Posted by robrock on 2008-04-24 00:47:59 | Rating: | Views: 38
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