"Bilingual/Bilingue"

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer explains that "Bilingual/Bilingue" by Rhina Espaillat is a depiction of a girl growing up in a Spanish speaking household in the United States. The writer notes that through excellent language choices and the successful use of literary devices, Espaillat captures the difficulties of living in an English speaking country while coming from a Spanish speaking home. The writer describes that "Bilingual/Bilingue" is a personal account of the realities of bilingualism, and shows how it is possible to overcome language and cultural barriers to learn a second language. The writer concludes that real life examples and the girl in "Bilingual/Bilingue" both show that the original language remains a part of one's culture and identity and that language barriers are an obstacle, but not a permanent one.

From the Paper:

"It is out of this fear that he resists English in the household, but his daughter, who studies English extensively in and outside of the house on her own, comes to become more than proficient in English. She realizes what her father does not, that language is not a divisive force, and that she can express herself fully in English, her second language. Thus Espaillat is writing on the success people can achieve in learning and living in the United States as a bilingual individual. Language will not divide her from her father, and she can become a successful English poet growing up in a Spanish household. The cultural and linguistic challenges she faced she was able to overcome."
"Espaillat's perspective on the issue of bilingualism individually and as a society is backed up by both empirical and qualitative research. In fact, although Espaillat's childhood experience was many years ago in the 1930s, issues she faced and issues she overcame are relevant to this day. For instance, a 2007 study on bilingual Latino and Latina adolescents evaluated the role of the Spanish language and bilingualism for both gifted and non-gifted students. This study found that for these bilingual students, regardless of level of academic achievement, that Spanish was their native language."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Anonymous. "Stances on Multilingual and Multicultural Education." Language Arts 84 (2006): 171. 15 Apr. 2007 <http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1179796311&sid=5&Fmt=3&clientId=77110&RQT=309&VName=PQD>.
• Cox, Annabel. "Gustavo PeRez Firmat's "Bilingual Blues" and "Turning the Times Tables": Language Choice and Cultural Identity in Cuban-American Literature." Neophilologus 91 (2007): 63. 15 Apr. 2007 <http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1219410921&sid=5&Fmt=2&clientId=77110&RQT=309&VName=PQD>.
• Guttfreund, Daniel G. "Effects of Language Usage on the Emotional Experience of Spanish-English and English-Spanish Bilinguals." Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 58 (1990): 604. 16 Apr. 2007 <http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1253526671&sid=5&Fmt=3&clientId=77110&RQT=309&VName=PQD>.
• Pacheco, Mariana, Paula Carbone, and Ramon Martinez. "Building on Strength: Language and Literacy in Latino Families and Communities." Language Arts 84 (2006): 193. 15 Apr. 2007 <http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1179796361&sid=5&Fmt=3&clientId=77110&RQT=309&VName=PQD>.
• Shaunessy, Elizabeth, Patricia Alvarez Mchatton, Mary Ann Ratliff, Alejandro Brice, and Claire Hughes. "Understanding the Experiences of Bilingual, Latino/a Adolescents: Voices From Gifted and General Education." Roeper Review 29 (2007): 174. 15 Apr. 2007 <http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1253526671&sid=5&Fmt=3&clientId=77110&RQT=309&VName=PQD>.

More papers on "Bilingual/Bilingue":

• Term Paper # 98579 : "'Bilingual/Bilingue Explication'"
• Research Paper # 93384 : "Pro's and Con's of Bilingual Education"
• Persuasive Essay # 69643 : "Bilingual Education"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: