Eliana Grajales
All living things on earth communicate whether that be by the way they move or gestures, but what makes humans so special is what we use to communicate most frequently; Language. Languages such as English are used day to day, but is there a “proper” way of speaking it? The answer to that question is no! Humans make new ways to speak languages all the time, this is called slang. The fascinating thing about slang is that an English speaking British person wouldn’t understand an English speaking New Yorker if they called a car a “whip.” Some other words New Yorkers have made into slang are “buggin”, “tight”, or “lit.” Some would argue that these words and phrases should not be used because they are an incorrect way of speaking. Although some may say so, slang should not be considered improper at all and it can easily be important to someone’s identity.
A word that I use often that can be considered slang is Bodega. It’s an originally Latin word for “winehouse” but what I and many others refer to when we say Bodega is a corner store. This word can be understood all throughout New York but if I ask my friends from Texas what that means they’ll have no clue. It makes me feel special because it feels like a secret code word of some kind. Alternatively, when people understand the word when I say it, I feel a sort of comradery with the person. To some it’s not a big deal to understand and a part of regular life, for me it means much more. Although hispanics from other places may not even use this word at all, bodega makes me feel more in touch with my Puerto Rican heritage. Why? I unfortunately lack the skill to speak a second language and the spanish slang that I use daily is the closest thing I have to my great grandparents home, Puerto Rico. Interestingly enough, bodega makes me feel a part of a group but also sets me apart from other people, emphasizing how it makes me feel “special.” In this era of my life I lack a lot of New York friends and when I say words that they’re unfamiliar with, like Bodega, it gives me a chance to teach them a word that’s unique to my home.
I am a young Puerto Rican from the Bronx and I’ve lived here all my life. I hear slang being used frequently to the point where I don’t bat an eye when someone calls me “cuh.” These words personally make me feel at home and I have a great understanding of them, some words are even blended in with Spanish since I live in a Hispanic community. Throughout my school experience though, me and my fellow classmates were told it was impolite to address others using slang and we were encouraged to speak “correctly”. The English many of my classmates spoke fluently in and couldn’t simply “turn off” wasn’t good enough to those who held authority over us. If someone was raised to speak a certain way it can’t be an easy experience to change it all for someone else’s approval.. My question is if a 10 year old child and their class can understand slang, why can’t they utilize that to communicate?
Gloria Anzaldúa explored her situation with being condemned for the way she spoke in her essay How to Tame A Wild Tongue. On page 34 Anzaldúa was told “I want you to speak English” by her mother even though she was speaking it. Anzaldúa did not express difficulty speaking the language, the only discernible thing about her English was her accent. She was making an attempt to speak what some may call “correct English” and was scolded for something that wasn’t exactly in her control. In reality, Anzaldúa was being punished for trying to stay true to herself and not conforming in the way others wanted. That’s the entire issue, conformity. Kids in schools and young people like Anzaldúa and myself are forced to believe in this idea of proper English when the way we all speak is perfectly valid and contributes to who we are.
Language is a form of self expression, some people use secret phrases or words to communicate an idea to another person. If their language can be understood by just one individual then it should be considered correct. Policing the way others speak can suck out the creativity some have and their individualism.
