I wish I could speak beautifully. I think I fall short; I’m no storyteller, people don’t gather to listen, and I lose my courage in crowds. I do speak with the words that are easily available to me, and that brings me a lot of comfort.
When I speak, it is a back and forth of Spanish and English. It is involuntary most times, my brain simply is unable to pick a lane. Some people do not enjoy it, but others follow me perfectly, nodding when appropriate, responding in the same lingo, adding their own “-isms” to my already flawed vocabulary. It helps me showcase my Mexican roots and love it. I don’t see why people have to criticize it.
Learning about what being “no sabo” entailed, I decided I wouldn’t let it bother me. After all, I know Spanish and I know English on their own, but I enjoy the mix. I think I have a better vocabulary in English, but I like the flavor that Spanish adds. I speak in Spanish with love and enthusiasm, and I speak English with assertiveness and honesty. One tells me to get to work and the other tells me to take a deep breath. In English, I want to say I’m non-religious, but when I speak Spanish, my tongue runs back to God. Si Dios quiere, que Dios me cuide. Why not mix both? They each have their strengths and weaknesses.
It is hard to keep your skills sharp if you’re not practicing. This applies to Spanish. Having Spanish in my vernacular allows me to keep thinking about the language and piecing together what words or phrases best apply for a situation. I feel like I’m actively learning even if I’m not always speaking to someone in Spanish.
Honestly, I don’t see why Latino kids are being held to a different standard when they speak Spanish slowly or incorrectly. Si los mexicanos nacen donde les da la gana, esto se aplica principalmente a los hijos de mexicanos nacidos en otra nación. The mistakes that come from your interactions give way to discovery and understanding. We should celebrate kids speaking their own versions of Spanish! Language is about evolving! I think this would incentivize younger kids to want to keep learning the language their parents speak.
This is not to say that you have to learn Spanish to be a Latino. I personally just love the fluidity and being able to highlight different parts of myself depending on what I’m speaking. It is magnificent.
Follow my Substack here!
-IC
Leave a Reply