How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents
How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents
Daughter of Invention
Mami, Papi, Yoyo
Dictator Rafael Trujillo
Rafael Trujillo was the Dominican dictator who ruled from 1930 until his assassination in 1961. Trujillo ruled as a military strongman and was responsible for many deaths throughout his dictatorship. Papi had lost brothers and sisters and friends to this dictatorship as stated on page 146. This timing would put Papi and his family in America during or just after Trujillo's assassination which would also pre date Lau vs Nichols, which was in 1965. This background helps me better inform my understanding of what this family had endured in the Dominican Republic and what it was like in America at this time.
Mami, Papi and Yoyo are all dealing with their new lives in America in very different ways. Unfortunately, each has their own fears in adjusting which seems to not allow them to each support one another in their perspective struggles.
Mami
Mami seems to be enjoying the freedoms a woman has in America at this time, she is eager to invent something to help the family financially and to make a name for herself. She carves out time each night for her inventions after the daily routines that are expected of her as a mom and a wife are complete. Unfortunately no one in the family seems to share her enthusiasm, "None of her daughters were very encouraging". (page 138) This is Mami's way to acclimate to her new homeland, an activity which also gave her great pleasure.
Papi
Papi has been able to continue practicing medicine in America and is successful in helping his community. Spanish remains his dominant language which at times interferes with communicating with is daughters. Papi still remembers the fear of living under the rule of Trujillo and can not shake the way one had to conduct oneself during this dictatorship, one of fear and silence. He had lost many friends and family members during the dictatorship of Trujillo, but Papi holds out hope that they will be able to return to the Dominican Republic once Democracy has been restored. His forceful reaction to Yoyo's speech shows his past concerns are still part of his reactionary behaviors. Yoyo states to Papi, "This is America Papi, America! You are not in a savage country anymore! (page 146)
Yoyo
Yoyo is trying to fold in with the other American students, she even attempts to rid herself of her accent. Her struggle is very painful for her, "WHen Yoyo was done, she read over her words, and her eyes filled. She finally sounded like herself in English". (page 143) A triumph for Yoyo but one her father disapproves of, which leads Yoyo to call him in an ugly whisper Trujillo's hated nickname Chapita! You're just another Chapita. (page 147)
All the members are adjusting to the new ways in America but each in a different way. It's important to remember this in our teaching of our newcomers in our classrooms. Understanding where someone comes from, their struggles, their joys, their hopes, will help each of us see more clearly and hopefully threat one another with grace.
I agree it is important to remember this in our teaching of our newcomers. I feel bad that Yoyo tries to rid herself of her accent. I wish she understood her accent is a special gift and she should cherish it. As an educator I believe I need to let my students know how important it is to value their L1 and continue using it.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting title, when you think of what they lost and what they have gained in the process of acculturation, sometimes we give up something in hopes to become better on the other side, but in hindsight we find that what we lost may not have been worth it, because it puts a strain on family relationships which is an out of school factor that causes stress on the students. What can we learn from this to better serve our students?
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