Paulina Longoria | THE RIDER
Nothing annoys more than whenever someone realizes that I am from Mexico and they start talking to me in Spanish. What does that say about me being Hispanic?
To be completely honest, I get offended. Some say to not take things personally because you will always be unhappy that way. But I just can’t help it. I’ve had someone tell me before if I needed an explanation on what they were saying because “it must be hard for me to understand big words in English.”
No, I do not need any explanations; I know the language.
How do people think I got accepted to a university in the United States to pursue an English major? How did I even get to be a reporter for the university’s newspaper? Do I really not know the language?
And, it isn’t only about having good grammar. It is also about having an accent. It has taken me around three years to try to improve my pronunciation and get rid of my Mexican and norteño accent. I still haven’t been able to do it.
But, why am I always seeking constant approval? Why do I try so hard to sound like an average American? What is wrong with having an accent?
Some people think that if you have an accent, you are not fully educated in the language.
I am strict with myself when it comes to grammar in classes and regular conversation. I listen closely to the way people speak, and my mistakes haunt me. Probably others don’t notice it, but my insecurities come in when it happens.
My close friends say to embrace my accent and be proud of my roots. I am proud of being Hispanic, but I also want to feel like I can communicate with others. I do not want to feel like others don’t know what I’m saying just because it’s hard to understand my pronunciation.
Please don’t mistake my insecurities by thinking I am ashamed of being Hispanic because I am not. I love Spanish and enjoy being able to express myself and use its idioms and sociolects. Some words and phrases would never make sense if they were literally translated into English.
My native language is really important to me. It is the language that I use to talk to my grandparents, and I am happy that they can now read my stories after I translate them into Spanish as the Spanish reporter for the newspaper.
Hispanic Heritage Month starts Tuesday. It is also Día del Grito (Cry of Dolores, a call to action to Mexican Independence). And, it’s my birthday; so one could say I am very “patriotic” and loud.
