Re: The Spanish Language in the US- Taboos and Complexes.

InspiredPoet wrote:
....
I had replies back to me in English not because of the level of my
Spanish, I feel, but because of my physical appearance- I do not look
like an average Mexican or Puerto Rican or Dominican, and because of a
place where I was- New York, San Juan, Tijuana, LA neighborhoods.

This as a rule would not happen in Uruguay or Argentina because I
looked like the locals who are mostly Europeans. And people would ask
me for directions. In Spanish. Not in the US. Ever. "Whatcha doin'
white bo--oy?!."

I have an Argentinean friend who is a native Spanish speaker but he is
not a Mestizo and he lives in SF and the Latinos do not want to speak
to him in Spanish even though he is native speaker. His social skills
are Latin American, but something happens in the US with Latinos. Some
complex develops. They do not talk to him in Spanish. His hair is not
black enough.

Has it occurred to you to relate what you say about "physical
appearance" to what people's appearance shows about social class,
instead of the usual Amurrican obsession with the color of skin or
hair? I entirely understand Daniels' reaction.

What you say about your Argentinian friend is confirmed by very many
reports by Spaniards and other speakers of Spanish.

For a time it looked to me, too, as what you surmised, i.e. that an
underdog-group was pre-empting the Spanish language as an in-group
sociolect (in the absence of a separate variety of Spanish). Of course,
the idea that this has to do with any "color" remains totally idiotic:
Those who exclude you do not all look like indios, far from it. But
they do look like poor people. There are no reports of middle-class of
middle-class looking "Hispanics" pretending not to understand
Castilian.

On the other hand, there were many things that directly contradict that
exclusive group language theory (not last the fact that their kids are
more likely than not to be called Kimberly or Kenneth).

Discussing it with first generation immigrant friends, I found them all
unanimous on the explanation:

When bosses or sub-bosses try to talk Spanish to their personnel, the
reason is that these workers belong the most underprivileged layer,
i.e. those who do not understand English. Addressing someone in Spanish
is interpreted as "You look like a recent wetback".

The same thing happens in areas where there is absolutely no difference
in physical appearance (except for the clothes). Just one example for
our days would be Albanians in Greece or Italy (who, I am told,
stubbornly refuse to acknowledge the language of the local Albanophones
trying to communicate). It was very frequent when the more
Northwesterly nations used to massively import Italians, Yugoslavs,
Turks, etc., distinguishable only by their clothes and haircut, not
their color.

In the US, people in insecure social conditions are very touchy about
not being confused with that just-got-off-the bus lowest stratum,
especially if they do belong to it. In English-speaking areas (includes
Tijuana and PR!), *not* being talked to in Spanish is a mark of
consideration and being addressed in Spanish is felt as insulting ("I
am not a dishwasher wetback who doesn't understand a word of English").

It makes sense. In fact, respecting the underprivileged other's wish
about the language you use (even if he cannot speak or understand much)
only requires a little patience. Only until the ice is broken, a couple
things are discussed and he understands that you have fully
acknowledged his ability to use English. Then he can stop pretending
that he isn't aware that you can speak Spanish. From then on, the
language of intercourse naturally becomes the one where both sides are
more comfortable. Or someone who wants to practice can express a wish.
Not before the stigma thing is taken care of.

.

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