In the literal sense of the phrase, “taming” one’s wild tongue, you can definitely put on some numbing cream or put her down with some sleeping medicine to calm the tongue and her. In a metaphorical tense, when speaking of controlling one’s speech, or quick temper, I think that just takes patience and maturity. When someone is young and someone says something mean to them, their first instinct is to react to that with something even worse. It takes a lot of maturity to realize that maybe that isn’t always the best way to go about it. One must think about their motives of speaking out against someone, as well as thinking about the possible consequences of those actions. Usually, people under the influence have a harder time doing this, so try to stay sober minded to keep one’s temper in check. In speaking of how Spanish was not allowed to be spoken in America, I believe that is just unethical and it is not possible to control one’s tongue in that situation. Language is a part of one’s culture and that should not be limited by anyone. Overall, controlling one’s tongue is not an easy task in any sense of the term, and it is almost impossible to make it “quiet,” but one can only try.
-Major Wheless
Hello, your perspective on this topic is quite unique. I hadn’t thought about what “wild tongue” may mean outside of the sort of political context Anzaldúa discusses in her work. The way you describe a “wild tongue” as impulsive and possibly hurtful speech that anyone is capable of seems to be the way that some of the authority figures Anzaldúa mentions (especially within the American education system) see it. I feel like this argument or interpretation could open the door for folks to justify the sort of “taming” that Anzaldúa is fighting against. I agree that, in most situations, it is unkind or immature to impulsively clap back at anyone who says mean things and individuals should strive to exercise self-control. However, it is important to note that “How to Tame a Wild Tongue” urges us to look more critically at those situations & the societal structures that decide what speech is more controlled than others.