Cultural and Society: Bilingual Essay Example

contrast, Alexie's text reveals the negative social consequences of acquiring knowledge or skills considered non-Indian.

The text highlights the fact that the protagonist fought with his classmates on a daily basis because they wanted him to remain silent when non-Indian teachers asked for volunteers, answers, or assistance. He questioned whether Indian children were expected to be unintelligent and was determined to defy such stereotypes as he believed in his own capabilities. Through perseverance, Alexie was able to save himself from the stereotype of being a failing and uneducated Indian boy in the Indian reserve. He achieved this by likening himself to the superhero Superman, breaking down the door of stereotype just as he learned how to read. This illustrates the significant impact that Superman had on his life, extending beyond mere literacy.

Despite the current proponents of bilingual education arguing that students who are not taught in their family language miss out on a lot, Rodriguez asserts that these supporters fail to acknowledge that socially disadvantaged children or students view their language as a private language. For Rodriguez, Spanish was considered a ghetto language that only reinforced his sense of being separate. Learning English presented a challenge for him as he lived in two distinct lifestyles, one being the American lifestyle and the other being the Mexican lifestyle. While he spoke English exclusively at school, as soon as he returned home, Spanish became the language of choice. The only instances where Rodriguez heard his parents speaking English were in public.

Speaking Spanish at home provided Rodriguez with a sense of security and allowed him to maintain his cultural heritage. However, it also presented a significant challenge in

learning English. On the other hand, acquiring English brought both advantages and disadvantages for Rodriguez. Learning the English language benefited him academically, enabling him to excel in his studies and facilitating communication and friendship with others. However, it also created a divide between Rodriguez and his parents, who primarily spoke Spanish. The determination that Alexie demonstrated in overcoming the obstacles of the Indian reserve was instilled in him by his supportive parents.

Despite his subpar grades, his parents consistently emphasized their lofty expectations. This encouragement had a constructive impact on him, motivating him to excel academically and ultimately emerge as one of the school's top students. He put in diligent effort to prove to his parents that he could meet their standards and bring them pride. Of the two parents, it was his father who wielded the greatest influence on his literacy abilities and academic successes.

This is because he brought home books that helped Alexie learn to read. Alexie believes that without his father's support, he wouldn't have achieved the success he has today.

He defied the cultural norms of his reservation, where Indian children pretended to be ignorant in order to avoid derision, and succeeded academically.

In conclusion, these two texts by different authors demonstrate how individuals can surpass the limitations of their cultural beliefs. While they differ in the specific beliefs and cultures they discuss, they both emphasize the influence of society on a child or student's development.

In the first text, Rodriguez reflects on the challenges of living in two different cultures during his childhood. He explains that by learning English, he was able to escape his private cultural lifestyle and overcome the feelings of isolation

enhanced by speaking Spanish, which he described as a marginalized language. In the second text, Sherman Alexie explores how cultural beliefs hinder the growth and progress of Native American children living on reservations.

He debunked this stereotype in various ways, such as bravely confronting mockery and even engaging in physical altercations with his schoolmates. Despite his peers' suggestions, he relied on his self-assurance, determination, and intelligence to overcome this stereotype. He possessed the determination to prove that Indians are not unintelligent and can receive an education as well.

Works cited

• file:///C:/Users/user/Downloads/Richard%20Rodriguez%20-%20Aria%20A%20Memoir.pdf
• file:///C:/Users/user/Downloads/Sherman%20Alexie's%20The%20Joy%20of%20Reading....pdf