The importance of language in the life of a person and society and the functions that it carries is an essential aspect of the existence of humanity. It preserves the spiritual and cultural values of people. Through language, people express their thoughts, express emotions. The words of outstanding people are quoted and transformed from personal property into the human property, creating the spiritual wealth of society. So, David Foster Wallace, in his work Tense Present and Gloria Anzaldua in How to Tame a Wild Tongue, describe the meaning of language, identity and culture for them. Although the authors have similar thoughts about the importance of language and identity in every culture and for people, yet for Wallace, there are many incomprehensible and controversial issues in the formation of language and identity, and for Anzaldua, language is the authentic culture.
Anzaldua wants to demonstrate how valuable the language is to her. She sees nothing shameful in knowing several languages and speaking them freely, without infringement of rights. She claims: “I will have my voice: Indian, Spanish, white.” (Anzaldua 40). While Wallace strives to show that what people are doing with language is unacceptable. He claims: “Whence the authority of dictionary-makers to decide what’s OK and what isn’t?” (Wallace 43). In these cases, the desire to talk in their own language is different for both authors.
Nevertheless, the authors value the knowledge of their native language equally strongly. Wallace says that when he was 15 years old, he became very interested in English and culture (42). This interest prompted him to study dictionaries and the basics of the language in depth. Anzaldua claims that when she read the poems in her native language, she was overcome with a feeling of joy (41). The author is very much in love with her people, traditions and language.
In conclusion, the authors of the works describe what their language and culture mean to them. After getting acquainted with their works, there is a desire to learn their language, as well as appreciate their customs, traditions, and people who speak the same language. The authors describe the importance of language and literacy, as well as the fact that knowledge of several languages is an important skill. In addition, the culture of their people and their own identity are essential for both of them.
Works Cited
Anzaldua, Gloria. How to Tame a Wild Tongue. Aunt Lute Book Company, 1987.
Wallace, F. David. Tense Present. Harper’s Magazine, 2001.