How to Tame a Wild Tongue — Gloria Anzaldúa

ENG 102 Practice

Term: “Wild tongue”

Definition: Symbolizes a rebellious untamed identity that refuses to conform to dominant cultural and linguistic expectations.

Term: Dentist metaphor

Definition: Represents society’s attempt to “tame” or silence Anzaldúa’s cultural and linguistic identity.

Term: “Wild tongues can’t be tamed they can only be cut out.”

Suppressing a person’s language is a violent act that erases their culture and identity

Term: Chicano Spanish

Definition: A hybrid of English Spanish, and Indigenous languages; reflects Chicano identity and borderland culture.

Term: Linguistic terrorism

Definition: The shaming and punishment of people for speaking their native or mixed languages; used to control cultural identity.

Term: Code-switching

Definition: Alternating between languages or dialects in conversation depending on context; a natural expression of identity.

Term: Language and identity

Definition: Anzaldúa claims “I am my language”—language is inseparable from self and cultural pride.

Term: Punishment for Spanish

Definition: Chicano children were disciplined in schools for speaking Spanish

Term: Overcoming silence

Definition: Speaking up—especially for Chicanas—is a feminist act of resistance against cultural and gendered expectations of silence.

Term: Gender and language**

Definition: Chicanas are taught to be quiet and submissive; breaking silence challenges patriarchy.

Term: Cultural hybridity

Definition: Living between Mexican and Anglo cultures creates both conflict and creativity; forms a unique “mestiza consciousness.”

Term: Mestiza consciousness

Definition: Awareness of a mixed, in-between identity that embraces multiple cultures and perspectives.

Term: “I am my language.”

Definition: To accept one’s way of speaking is to accept oneself; rejecting it means rejecting one’s identity.

Term: Linguistic pride

Definition: Taking pride in Chicano Spanish and bilingualism is an act of cultural survival and resistance.

Term: Language shame

Definition: Internalized belief that Chicano Spanish is “deficient” due to societal and cultural stigma.

Term: Internal oppression

Definition: Chicanos often judge each other for how “authentic” their Spanish is

Term: Cultural expression (music and film)**

Definition: Chicano movies music, and literature helped Anzaldúa reclaim her identity and pride in her heritage.

Term: Corridos

Definition: Mexican ballads about heroes, oppression, and border life; preserve history and cultural identity.

Term: Code of silence

Definition: Cultural saying “En boca cerrada no entran moscas” (“Flies don’t enter a closed mouth”) teaches women not to talk back.

Term: Bilingual writing**

Definition: Anzaldúa uses both English and Spanish to resist linguistic domination and reflect her borderland identity.

Term: Borderlands

Definition: Both a physical and symbolic space where multiple cultures, languages, and identities intersect and blend.

Term: Anglo dominance

U.S. society pressures minorities to assimilate linguistically and culturally devaluing bilingualism.

Term: Resistance through language

Definition: Keeping her “wild tongue” alive is a form of resistance against erasure and cultural domination.

Term: Identity quote

Definition: “Ethnic identity is twin skin to linguistic identity—I am my language.”

Term: Chicano movement impact

Definition: Helped Chicanos recognize themselves as a distinct people with their own culture and language.

Term: Mexican identity

Definition: For Anzaldúa, being Mexican is not about citizenship but a “state of soul.”

Term: Final message

Definition: Refuse to be ashamed; speak, write, and live proudly in all languages and identities.