Read the poem "Bilingual/Bilingüe" by Rhina P. Espaillat.
The speaker uses some Spanish in every stanza of this poem.
Pick one stanza and explain how the Spanish word or phrase in it
helps readers understand the speaker's experiences. THIS is the
writing prompt.
Write a paragraph explaining your answer. Support your response with
at least two pieces of evidence from the text.
If you'd prefer, you can open this PDF version of the text.
441/5,000



Answer :

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In the poem "Bilingual/Bilingüe" by Rhina P. Espaillat, the use of Spanish words helps readers understand the speaker's experiences by emphasizing the cultural and linguistic duality that the speaker navigates. Let's consider the following stanza:

"He feels them stirring, stretching for a hand
across the table, hears them in the dawn
inflection of his mother’s voice."
(Stanza 4)

In this stanza, the Spanish word "manos" which means "hands" in English, adds depth to the speaker's experience. The word "manos" conveys a sense of reaching out and connection, highlighting the longing for closeness and understanding between the speaker and his family members. This demonstrates the emotional struggle of balancing two languages and cultures within the speaker's identity. Furthermore, the use of the Spanish word creates a vivid image that resonates with readers, evoking a sense of intimacy and nostalgia that enriches the overall theme of cultural identity in the poem.

By analyzing the stanza and focusing on the word "manos," readers can gain a deeper insight into the speaker's emotions and the complexities of bilingualism portrayed in the poem. This demonstrates how the incorporation of Spanish words throughout the poem serves to illuminate the speaker's experiences and inner conflicts, allowing readers to empathize with the challenges and reflections on identity presented in "Bilingual/Bilingüe."

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