This week's reading focused on bilingual students in the U.S. and how they are viewed by those who are attempting to assimilate into American society. They view the English Language as something you only use in public when communicating with people. However, when it came down to speaking Spanish, their native language, the narrator viewed it as a very personal language—one that is only spoken to family or friends. The narrator also describes that once they started speaking English at home and at school they felt more included as part of society. The narrator actually defends this idea of assimilating a little bit stating that while their personal identity becomes less important, the people gain a new public identity that is all their own.
This reading like the the last two really hits home with me personally as I have actually seen these ideas and experiences firsthand. The more recent example of this is actually at my service learning that occurs once a week. A good amount of my students only know how to speak Spanish in the classroom. The reading really does make me wonder how the students view speaking English if they view it as similar to that of the reading. A less recent example of this was my time as a Youth Care Counselor. One of the clients I used to work with was actually bilingual and could speak both English and Spanish fluently. However, if he could, he would predominantly choose to speak Spanish over English if he could if either Staff or another client could speak Spanish as well. I think archons back to this reading in that bilingual speakers value their first language as their private language. It really does make me wonder if I would be similar to them if the roles were reversed.
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