Aria by Richard Rodriguez

Richard Rodriguez argues that through personal experiences during childhood, being bilingual as a young student, he struggled with keeping his public identity while trying to fit into the society around him. 

He talks about the troubles he faced as a child growing up speaking mainly Spanish, adjusting to speaking English daily, and adapting to the “American” way of life.  He felt that he would be more comfortable speaking in class and just being a part of the class if the teacher was able to speak at least a little bit of Spanish to him.  Not being acclimated to the English language also made him apprehensive of speaking out in class.  He felt that by speaking English in school, he was leaving the person he truly was behind.  He also felt that speaking English more often he would be offending his family. He talks about the troubles he faced as a child growing up speaking mainly Spanish, adjusting to speaking English daily, and adapting to the “American” way of life.  He felt that he would be more comfortable speaking in class and just being a part of the class if the teacher was able to speak at least a little bit of Spanish to him.  Not being acclimated to the English language also made him apprehensive of speaking out in class.  He felt that by speaking English in school, he was leaving the person he truly was behind.  He also felt that speaking English more often he would be offending his family.