Aria by Richard Rodriguez free essay sample

Aria The Cosmopolitan Tongue Language, Is it and art or is it a science? I will have to argue it’s a mix of both. Webster’s Dictionary defines Science as follows; A branch of knowledge or study dealing with a body of facts or truths systematically arranged and showing the operation of general laws. You must admit, it pretty much describes the study of any established language. Websters Dictionary also defines Art as follows; The quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance. Case closed!Language is a marriage of art and science whom, through many eons, have produced many children. They, the children, in reference to languages that have come and gone, have been both ugly and beautiful†¦ but beauty is in the eye of the beholder, or â€Å"ear† in this case. In the memoir Aria, by Richard Rodriguez, he boldly argues that one must choose the â€Å"public† language so as to belong, or be part of, or be accepted and be able to find your true identity. I have to agree to some degree, for I find if you are not part of the â€Å"public† language it’s like driving the wrong way on a one way road, or better yet; freeway!Growing up in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood, I can’t say I felt like a foreigner. My parents arrived in â€Å"gringolandia† as they affectionately call it (United States), around 1977. I was 3 years old, my younger siblings where soon to follow. I can sympathize with Richard in some cases. We also use the â€Å"private† language at home. When I got enrolled in school, luckily most of my classmates also brought their â€Å"private† language along with their school lunch bags filled with â€Å"burritos† or â€Å"tortas†.Going back to comparing a language to an art form; is like throwing away your guitar that you played with such joy, just because you’ve learned how to play the piano! Why not keep both! Make them complement each other. I have always thought; the more you know the merrier! I think that Richard came to resent the Spanish language because he felt it isolated him from the public. I felt he also had resentment towards his parents, especially his father, for not being fluent in the public language. But, in some weird way, I can sympathies with this also, sadly.I can remember when friends will come to visit when growing up. My parents will speak to me in Spanish in front of them and I will be embarrassed that they were not speaking to me in English! I will answer back in English, I will not talk that â€Å"beaner† language, God forbid my friend heard me talk such utterance! To which my mom will snap back â€Å"no te agas pendejo! †Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ah, my good old mom, always had a way of â€Å"grounding† me. I agree with Richard 100% on the fact that if the public has established a language, one as a foreigner or outsider, must find ways to adopt â€Å"their† language.Now a days there is no excuse not to do so, with the internet, youtube, languge apps for your ‘smartphones’ endless TV shows, learning institutions, or your own kids , it has become easier to assimilate into the public language; ENGLISH. It is fairly evident that to succeed in any society, one must be able to communicate clearly and eloquently. It’s like the musician that transmits that certain vibe when you hear him/her. This musician has practiced and studied music so as to master it and perform to the best of his/her ability.If we want to communicate to our best, we must also strive to perfect and master our language skills. But we are not going to do it in a tongue that the â€Å"public† is not familiar with, you will be driving the wrong way on a very fast one way highway, and find yourself in an accident of a sort. In â€Å"The Cosmopolitan Tongue: The Universality of English† by John McWhorter, I find he takes a more scientific approach on the use of language. After all he is a linguist and political commentator. But I can’t say I disagree with what he says. Inevitably, I guess in the future there will only be a handful of languages.As technology makes our world ever so smaller, we intertwine with a total stranger half way around the world via the internet or a videogame. I was playing with my nephew, who seemed ever so excited to show me his new game for his PS3. He quickly set it up and just as soon he was playing with other kids half way around the world! Killing each other! And they were so happy to do so! Scarry hu? But I did notice they all had something in common, other than the urge to blow each other’s brains out, ENGLISH! Maybe, as McWhorter comments, it’s because we isolate ourselves that we fabricate our own language within our own society.Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Look! Up in the sky! Its a bird. Its a plane. Its English! Yes, its English strange visitor from another planet who came to Earth with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men. English who can change the course of mighty rivers, bend steel with his bare hands, and who, disguised as†¦ok, ok I’ll stop, my mom says I can be overly dramatic sometimes. But in all seriousness, I think this is how I have always viewed the English language. I’ve always known since early on that for one to succeed, you must embrace English and he will come to your rescue like Superman!It’s amazing how much power there is in a language. All great men are remembered from what they said or communicated either through speech or grammar. So, if evolutionist are right when they say â€Å"survival of the fittest† I think it’s a hands down competition for the English language. As an art form, it is like the Mona Lisa; mysterious and thought provoking, or like the Statue of David; commanding and powerful with no shame speaking with the tongue of Shakespeare! As a science, it is Einstein and Newton. I know, I know†¦ I am being too abstract, but I find there is no other way to describe a language I grew up to appreciate and love!I thank God I grew up in America. I will always be Mexican, and proud of it! I love my culture and my Spanish tongue too. I am proud of the fact that I still read and write in Spanish, not to mention speak it, unlike a few family members who just totally forgot about their native tongue. But English†¦. is the future! I feel in the future we will just speak English and Spanish. Why Spanish? How will we order â€Å"burritos† or â€Å"tacos† or sing Mariachi songs to our girlfriends? Story Title 2nd t story Author Answer to homework questions: 1 2 3