Lecture Notes: "My English" by Julia Alvarez

Introduction

• Context: The author reflects on her experience with learning English and growing up bilingual in the Dominican Republic.
• Family Background: Spanish-speaking household; parents used English to discuss secrets.

Language Dynamics at Home

• Spanish Variations: Different Spanish dialects spoken by various family members and staff.
  • Castellano: Spoken by Padre Joaquin from Spain; characterized by a lisp.
  • Educated Español: Spoken by parents and relatives; corrected children’s Spanish.
  • Campuno: Spoken by maids; mother tongue of the narrator, rich with local phrases and expressions.

Introduction to English

• Initial Perception: Secret language of worry and urgency used by parents.
• Learning Environment: Carol Morgan School, American influences.
• Struggles: Misunderstood English as a harder version of Spanish.
• Observations: Differences in appearance and lifestyle of American children and the illustrations in textbooks.

Language Confusion and Integration

• Spanglish: Mixing Spanish and English in everyday speech; confusion in vocabulary.
• Parental Expectation: Parents insisted on learning English, seen as important for future success.
• School Experience: Struggles with fitting in and constant corrections by teachers.
• Emotional Impact: Feelings of insecurity and humiliation when corrected.

Mastering English

• Practice and Persistence: Reciting tongue twisters, learning idiomatic expressions and jokes; practicing English at home with family.
• Cultural Observations: Realized that Americans were not superior due to language differences but had simply grown up with it as their native tongue.
• Misconceptions: Initially believed English made people smarter; later understood it was just another language.

Transition to Fluency

• Adapting to New York: Initial shock at widespread use of English; eventual comfort in the language.
• Second Language Anxiety: Struggled with understanding heavy accents; feared being left out.

Influence of a Great Teacher

• Sister Maria Generosa: Encouraged creative writing; focused on imaginative exercises rather than rigid grammar.
• Teaching Style: Used dynamic and engaging methods to make English captivating.
• Impact: Nurtured a love for language and writing; transformed English from a foreign language to a familiar and expressive medium.

Conclusion

• Reflections: Journey from feeling like a foreigner to feeling at home in the English language.
• Literary Development: Sister Maria’s influence helped the author to view English as a fluid, expressive, and powerful language.