I think the question Anzaldua asks, “how do you tame a wild tongue, train it to be quiet, how do you bridle and saddle it? How do you make it lie down?” resonates with many people from different ethnicities. Anzaldua herself identifies as Chicano, which essentially means Mexican American, but that identity conflicts with one another. Ones heritage is shown at the base of one’s household through many traditions and by the use of language. Therefore, the question poses the difficulty that many of these people face. It reveals the discomfort and sense of belonging that many of them face due to their culture. Being able to use your language gives you a sense of belonging to your ethnicity and heritage. To be told to neglect that part of you or to walk on eggs shells wondering if it’s okay to use it is quite horrendous. Ideally speaking, a tongue can be tamed such as any other wild thing. However, it would require a huge amount of domestication since language is a part of one’s identity. It is like asking to give half of yourself to society and reject the other half you are made up of. Training to be quiet or to bridle one’s tongue remains pointless in the aspect that language is a part of those who are of different ethnicity. There isn’t a simple answer or guide to erase that part, especially when language is one component that shapes them, such as Anzaldua, and is shared through friends and family.
-Jaileen Gutierrez
I agree with your point that language is is a part of one’s identity and also find the domestication of it disappointing. I liked how you used the word “domesticated” as well which ties into our discussion of wildness. Good job!