Language and Literacy Narrative – Ashlly's Portfolio

Cover Letter for Language and Literary Narrative

My language and literary narrative reflects upon many groups of people, surrounding the theme of how we are not so different from one another, even when their language is different. Audiences such as classmates, teachers, and a wide range of individuals who are bilingual, learning a new language, or know of people who have influenced my narrative. My narrative connects to broad situations faced by many groups of individuals, involving narration and dialogue to tell a story. Furthermore, I made sure to use pathos in my writing, using emotion and feeling to show myself and other characters’ progress through conflict and how they overcame it and learned from it.

As I developed my narrative, it has changed, from a constrained informative/standard essay form to a more free-flowing one where I understood the difference between narrative and informative. Peer review helped me solidify the contrast between various forms of writing. Similarly, my experience with revisions allowed me to have a solid idea that I wanted to focus on in my writing instead of focusing on more than one topic. When focusing on one topic, I was able to dive deeper into it and it allowed the reader to understand the situation clearly. The concept that impacted my learning and writing practices was a rhetorical situation as I focused on the purpose, audience and exigence. These practices brought my narrative together as a whole and allowed for a better understanding on what my narrative should be about.

There are various forms of language and literacy, but it still brings groups of people, as shown through the 5 modes of communication, illustrated through our translation of our narrative. The forms in which we communicate come from several different communities we belong to, it shapes what we write and how we write. In this phase, I was able to understand and learn that language and literacy aren’t just about how someone may speak and write a language and how they may use it. There is a deeper connection to it, especially during presentations and when reading others narratives (peer review), I learned that it’s about identity, culture, and expression.

The primary changes that have been made to my Language and Literary narrative after receiving feedback from my professor were adding footnotes to Spanish translations made throughout dialogue to make it cleaner and easier to read. In addition, I made sure to be more specific in some parts that seemed unclear to the reader, where they needed more background information. I also changed some dialogue that followed more with what the main topic was for my narrative, while also ensuring there were aspects that were relatable to the reader and clear to understand.

First Draft: Language & Literacy Narrative

Does pronunciation affect how words are being spoken to? One of the few questions almost all bilingual speakers ask. Sometimes individuals who only speak one language see this around them too when there are some non-native speakers of their language.

Many people use the words, “what happened” to try to bring a point of worry or curiosity. My family uses “what happen” instead since it is easier for them to pronounce. They still somewhat convey the main message even when it’s slightly incorrect. The word “happen” isn’t grammatically correct, as it should be what happened. I’m aware of this when my family, who speak Spanish, uses it. On the other hand, they aren’t so aware of it. When I try to correct them, they don’t seem to figure it out right away when having the last few letters mispronounced, if they’re trying to learn for the first time it is completely understandable.

Transitioning from a Spanish speaking country to an English-speaking country is difficult. Being born in the United States, I can only try to put myself in my sibling’s shoes when I’m speaking to them incorrect Spanish when I only grew up with broken English from my father, learning standard English at school and Spanish from my mother in the few hours I saw her out of school. They can understand my struggle as well, making me not so different from them.

There are moments and times when grammatically incorrect words slip into my vocabulary, that’s understandable when talking to friends and family. When it comes to an educational standpoint it may seem as uneducated and incorrect. Everyone has a different form of English and different levels.

Would having more knowledge in English get you farther in the United States? Some people may argue that English is the standard language in the United States, and everyone should learn it once they step foot into this country. On the other hand, others may say you don’t have to learn English since there are many different languages/diversities present in the United States. You can say this statement in any country or regional area that has a major spoken language.

I would argue knowing English can give you a major push and opening newer opportunities in the United States. An example being one of my brothers trying to find a job in the restaurant field when they have a lot of experience coming from Ecuador. An issue occurs when their primary language is Spanish, but the main requirement is to speak and write English.

Through my high school years, I noticed that some friends had English speaking siblings or parents that spoke English. They had what seemed to be an advantage to me. I had to often learn things myself and go through the process of trial and error when some things to others may seem like common knowledge. Most things in the United States are written in English because of this those who already had prior knowledge in English it’s easier for them to pursue education, jobs, network and know more about the college process. Some things seemed easier to them than someone who doesn’t have many relationships with relatives who speak English or have much background in English.

I often find it difficult to write in English as I feel my sentences and phrases could be better if I try to find synonyms for words that may be described as too easy/simple to fit in with higher level English or when I sometimes may read a sentence incorrectly because of how I grew up pronouncing English words from my mother. This led to the realization I’ve been saying the word “buffet” incorrectly throughout my whole life. I grew up with my mother saying “Boo-fet” instead of “buh-fay”.

Throughout years of learning English and being in an environment where English isn’t primary used, I’m able to have an advantage when it comes to literacy and learning as I have more empathy for others who have experienced a similar struggle. I’m able to help those who have families that don’t know much English when I’m able to translate documents, help them learn a new language and help them with opening new doors that they many not been aware due to that language barrier.

Language and Literary Narrative Translation

Final Draft: Spanish Vs. English

Andy: “¿Vas a venir pronto hoy a la casa?”

Ashlly: “Why?”

Andy: “We can go to Brooklyn today.”

Ashlly: “¿Para qué?”

…Several hours later. My brother Andy, at the time 28 years old, sent that message when I, 17, was on my way to the shopping center. It took him roughly 4 hours to respond to me after I had completed my shopping and was on my way home.

Andy: “A ver un trabajo para mí.”

After that first message, that’s when the rabbit hole started in job searching for my brother. Later that same day me my brother and I were passing by a street in Brooklyn, and we stumbled upon a piece of white printer paper taped onto a restaurant window, the words written with a black marker said, “Hiring a cook, please call…”. Instead of calling we decided to go into the restaurant since seeing a possible future employee may lead to a higher chance of getting hired. Once we entered the restaurant, there was a slight issue.

Ashlly: “Hello! Nice to meet you.”

Andy: “Hi, speak Spanish?

Worker: “Sorry, we only speak English. How can we help you?”

They only spoke English. Because of this, I had to translate for my brother, since he only knew basic phrases in English, but not enough to keep a conversation going about a job inquiry. My brother sadly wasn’t fluent enough for the job, so we continued trying to find a job opportunity for him.

Ashlly: “Vamos a buscar otro lugar para que tú trabajes.”

Ashlly: “¡No te preocupes, vamos a ver un trabajo más mejor para ti!”

Andy: “¡Es verdad! Pero solo dice mejor, no ‘más mejor’.”

I sometimes make mistakes when speaking Spanish. There are times when I make redundancy mistakes with comparative adjectives in Spanish as similar to what you could make in English. I understand my brother’s language barrier since it’s his second year in the United States, coming from Ecuador. He comes from only knowing a few basic phrases of English based on what was taught to him in Ecuador. I’m able to put myself in his shoes since I can relate with my limited Spanish knowledge and his limited English knowledge. I’m very appreciative that I have my brother, as he can correct my Spanish, which helps me. He doesn’t make me feel judged for not knowing Spanish as much as him.

Even when English is my first language, it was my least favorite subject in school. I grew up with standard English at school, standard Spanish from my Ecuadorian parents in the few hours I saw them out of school, and broken English from them. I often mixed up all of those different words, phrases, and sentence structures with one another. I grew up with several different sources of English and Spanish. I recall this specific moment as my English-speaking friends and I were getting off the train.

Ashlly: “This is where the buffet is at, remember?”

Nicole: “You mean buffet?”

Ashlly: “What?? Since when?”

It’s one of the moments I recalled my pronunciation being incorrect in English. I don’t usually have issues with my pronunciation unless it’s with difficult words such as Worcestershire or supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (which took multiple tries to learn). My mother usually pronounced buffet like “boo-fet” whenever we went to one. It’s one of those words that you don’t say a lot. I never saw it as incorrect, as it was what was seen as the norm by me and other relatives who didn’t know much English, since they came from Ecuador.

As of today, my brother, now 29, has improved his English pronunciation and spelling. Similarly, I, at 18, have also done so in Spanish. I often catch myself referring back to the times when my brother corrected me, and I reiterate my incorrect pronunciation/grammar with the correct form. My brother has entered a new chapter in his life where he received a job offer. He practiced receiving orders with me in different ways that you may encounter at a restaurant. Likewise, I have done so with my Spanish, as my family tells me I have improved. I also began learning some slang in Spanish, which is much different from standard Spanish. It allowed me to develop a deeper bond with my brother and family members. It made me realize that language barriers exist, but can be overcome with a lot of practice and support from others experiencing similar challenges.