Ramsdell Summary

          Ramsdell analyzes the impact language has on autobiographical works through this journal. She attempts to view how language is not only a means of communicating but also a manner of fabricating a façade to convey a deeper message by the author. Ramsdell states “language is identity and identity is political” through these words she attempts to communicate the fact that language presents a part of the self, expressing one’s identity. However, this identity one express has a lot to do with the way one is perceived by society. This is so because certain languages carry particular implications about socioeconomic influence and power. Ramsdell decodes the effect language has on a bilingual and multicultural author’s work, how such language creates an identity for the displaced author and how it impacts the reception of the author’s work.

            Viewing the works and experiences of bicultural autobiographers, Rodriguez, Dorfman, and Anzaldua, Ramsdell presents the different effects bilingual writers experience in their writings.  Rodriguez grew up speaking Spanish, however due to his education he was forced to only speak in English. Rodriguez could finally identify himself and be recognized with the Anglo and the academic community. He gained acceptance and monetary success; however, neglecting his mother tongue and losing a part of his personality. To Dorfman English and Spanish could never coexist, he chose one and neglected the other, depending on which gained his loyalty during that period of time. Ultimately, he ended up writing in both languages, yet never combined them. Dorfman sees the two languages as too different to mix. The third author Ramsdell views is Anzaldua. She choses to write in Spanish and English, to present herself as the proud mixed woman, not choosing one language over the other nor adhering to social standards. Anzaldua differs from the other authors, as she is the only one who mixes both languages in her writing. She feels that the message she has to transmit can only be fully understood through that way. While Rodriguez and Dorfman believe success is obtained and their identity is presented by separating Spanish and English, Anzaldua has a communal consciousness, accepting both languages and what each has to offer to present her full identity.

            Ramsdell presents to the reader different forms in which authors approach being bilingual. She highlights that in all the examples the two languages play a big role in the creation of identity. I agree with that because the language you speak is more than a form of communication. For example there are untranslatable words, even if you speak the same language sometimes it is difficult to understand terms from Mexican Spanish or pure Spanish. Each language comes equipped with cultural stigmas, implications, or forms of writing that only people who speak that language would understand.