(1954- )
Aparicio, Frances R. "On Sub-versive Signifiers: U.S. Latina/o Writers Tropicalize English." American Literature Vol. 66 Dec. 1994: 795-801. JSTOR. University of Minnesota Wilson Library, Minneapolis, Minnesota. March 31, 2005 http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0002-9831%28199412%2966%3A4%3C795%3AOSSUSL%3E2.0.CO%3B2-J.
In this article, Aparicio argues that Spanish is a restricted language in the United States, dominated by "linguistic racism." The English-speaking world forces assimilation not only on language but on the culture that accompanies it. The main focus is tropicalization; defined as a movement created by Latino writers who discuss the ways that white America labels and assimilates Latinos. Aparicio proposes that by using primarily English in their works, these writers are textually demonstrating through "lexicon" and "syntax" the process of tropicalization. These writers first think in Spanish and then translate into English. In this process they are creating and adding to the English language. This is the writing style of Cisneros, who predominantly uses English in her works and whose Spanish undertones create a more vibrant English language that is seen in her writing.
Cisneros, Sandra. Caramelo or Puro Cuento. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2002.
The title of this book indicates a lot about the story. Caramelo is a reference to skin color, one that is a mixture of light and dark. Caramelo is a book of fiction about a Mexican- American family narrated by LaLa Reyes. Her family's rich past is rooted in Mexico, the place where her grandparents live and where she makes her annual visits. However, she lives in a Chicano community in Chicago. Reyes tells her story of living on both sides of the border, about what it means to live in two cultures and essentially two worlds. Cisneros integrates Spanish words and phrases into this book, which is predominantly written in English; bilingualism at work in the text.
Cisneros, Sandra. Loose Woman. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1995.
Cisneros's third collection of poetry explores what it means to be a Mexican-American and explores the culture of the people. It investigates the female role in Mexican society. The title assigns a "bad girl" image to the writer that implies sexual independence and a clash with the conventional woman. Cisneros probes into bilingualism by using the theme of sexuality. With poem titles such as "You Bring Out the Mexican in Me" and "Mexicans in France" which lists some of the common stereotypes applied to Mexicans, Cisneros is able to demonstrate the important role that bilingualism takes on in understanding the Mexican-American culture. Although in some of her poems she does not outwardly discuss bilingualism, her use of poems written explicitly in Spanish carry on the significance of understanding the two languages. She also discusses the importance of the culture that fosters a Chicana identity.
Cisneros, Sandra. My Wicked Wicked Ways. Bloomington: Third Woman Press, 1987.
Cisneros, Sandra. The House on Mango Street. Houston: Arte Público Press, 1988.
Written from the point of view of a young girl named Esperanza, this coming-of-age novel explores poverty, living as a Chicana, language, and identity just to name a few of the many themes that are transmitted through this book. Language is important, because it helps Esperanza understand her circumstances. In the first story, Esperanza wants to change her name in order to be able to express herself in her own terms and not be defined by her heritage. In one of the short stories, "No Speak English," Esperanza discusses the pain and hardship that her family members endure when they cannot speak English. In this story, she highlights the importance of the English language in surviving in the United States while at the same time discussing what it means for her to live as a bilingual individual.
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