“How to Tame a Wild Tongue” Rhetorical Analysis Questions

Purpose: To explore the language choices Gloria Anzaldua makes and what the effect of these
choices are on her purpose.

1. Much of this essay is written in Spanish or a variant of it. In some instances, Anzaldua translates into
English, though not all the time. Asa reader, how do you react to the passages written in Spanish?
How does your level of fluency with that language affect your response? Why do you think she does
this?

Overall this essay translates her spanish in which half of her writing is spanish. My lack of fluency
in spanish creates breaks in the writing and slows down my reading to pay attention when she
speaks. It allows the information to be missed, but also allows the readers to see her “un lenguaje” as
a way of life, “un modo de vivir” : as her identity. In multiple ways, this shows Anadulzula’s purpose;to
inform others that adapting to culture while connecting languages is important to staying true to
yourself rather than conforming to society’s views.

2. In paragraphs 14-17, Anzaldua draws on her personal experiences to illustrate the eight languages
she enumerates. Explain why you think that this focus makes readers feel excluded or included. Then
discuss whether Anzaldua’s personal experience interwoven throughout the essay strengthens or
weakens her argument.

The audience of bilingual speakers feels more included while those of one originating
language, like English partially feel excluded. Her personal experience allows all her audience to
experience and live that moment of her life. Although an only english speaker would have distance
to the topic, Anzaldua builds context that puts the reader into her disposition in life. In order to
connect who Anzaldua is to the reader personally in connection to her cultural, linguistic, and ethnic
identity.

3. Why is English a “neutral language” (para. 25), according to Anzaldua? In what situations that you
have observed or read does English become neutral ground for those who speak different
languages? Do you agree with Anzaldua that it is a “neutral language”? Why or why not?

English in many situations originates from other languages, mainly Anglo-Saxon countries, but is
used as a ground for all types of people to communicate. America has become an important leader
in the globalized world, English continues to evolve yearly. As Anzaladula explains that English has
different hybrid languages and dialects, she exclaims that “for a language to remain alive it must be
used”. Evolving languages in many contexts change and grow, English is a “neutral language”
because it is open to creating new words; slang words like dab or yeet while also being a diverse
melting-pot of America. In total, English is the bridge of language, the lingua franca.