Michael Grima

9.8.13

English 1100

Prof. Young

Identity

            Identity is often interpreted differently for different individuals. Some may care to say that their own identity is something very important to them while others do not care about their own identity and don’t care for what represents them as an individual. I personally feel that my own identity plays a large role in my life. Over time peoples identity blossoms into who they are today and they love having that identity represent them. Personally I am very proud of my identity and what it has become but I would like the grow it further so that I can represent a bigger cause in the future something that is bigger than something I could ever imagine, being a United States Marine. There is also a huge aspect of identity, which is someone’s language. My language besides English is Maltese, which comes from the Island of Malta and is very closely related to the Arabic language. I love being Maltese and I love speaking Maltese. I love being represented by my language. My language is special to me partly because most people in the United States do not speak this language and I love how I am special in that way. That unique quality that I represent is my Identity. It is something that besides the Marine Corps I am very prideful for. I love it when I can go home and Speak to my family in our language and talk to my friends when I go down to Malta for the summer. Malta is like home to me and I cherish every second being there. I love just how it feels to speak in Maltese slang which is my favorite. I love my language and what it represents and I am proud to say its my identity.

Michael Grima
English 1100
31 August 2016
Prof. Young
                                                       How to Tame s Wild Tongue

1.  The opening scene of Anzaldua in the dentist chair connects to the overall point/message of the essay and title because the title of the essay is called “How to Tame a Wild Tongue”. The Dentist was having issues with Anzaldua’s tongue during her dental procedure. He wanted to tame it to keep it quiet and to restrain it from moving. The dentist trying to restrain Anzaldua’s tongue is just like how when she tried to speak Spanish at recess she was punished for it.

2. Anzalduas use of Spanish throughout her writing is used to make the reader feel as if they are outsiders.

3. Academic English can not be defined as a Spanish (Standard) and Chicano Spanish cannot be described as a non standard because if there’s no standard there cant be a non standard. There is not really a standard language in America.

4. I do not believe it is necessary to speak and write in Academic English as an identity. I beleive that your identity is who you are not an act that you would have to put up for other people or things. My parents were born in the Island of Malta and they rather speak and right in Maltese so they choose to do so over English and last year when a friend of mine came from Italy to study abroad in my school and instead of writing her notes in English her notebook would be filled with all Italian and would primarily speak Italian to help me learn to speak and write in Italian. 

5. The various types of English identities that I am aware of would be different Education Levels, Jobs, Genders, Physical Feathurs, Religion and so much more that can make various types of English Identities. 

6. I do not really have a screte language with my friends, maybe a little bit of slang but primarily I will speak with my friends with slang. My identity will change at times like with my parents I will be extremely respectful but if I have something against another person I will not give them the same respect as I would give my parents. 

7. The type of English or Maltese I would speak with my friends in America or Malta would have a slang with it. But when im with my mother I will talk respectful and would have a different type of tone talking to her. As regard to talking to my teachers I would speak to them with respect I would not have slang I would try to talk at a higher educated level and a higher level of vocabulary. 

8. The statement "I am my language" means that you're language is basically you're identity. If you speak Spanish, Maltese, English, Chinese, or even a different language that represents you're identity. You're language represents a bit of what you are, who you are. 

9. In the Introduction Anzaldua's tongue was being restricted by the Dentist which is a copmparison to how her language was being restricted and how she was forced to speak in English. The Conclusion was after she overcame her advirsities of the restricted language. In the conclusion she spoke about how for years and years people were basically forced to speak another language but they over came it they overcame the "blows of the hammer". By them being so stubborn they have overcame there adversities.

10. I believe that languages can be apart of my identity because when I tell my friends that I speak Maltese and Italaian as two languages besides English they know me for that. Not many people even know Malta exist and because of that being Maltese is part of my identity and I love it. 

11. My Identity is very important to me because it is what I represent and I am very excited the have my Identity as a United States Marines in a couple years because of what they represent and what they are known for. Yes I believe Anzaldua's identity is very important to her because her language is very important to her and her language is part of her identity. In her essay she states "My "home" tongues are the languages I speak with my sisters and brothers, with my friends. There are the last five listed, with 6 and 7 being closest to my heart. 

Michael Grima
English 1100
31 August 2016
Prof. Young

                                                   Getting to Know Myself

1. I played baseball and football for the majority of my life ever since I was little. Baseball was always something I loved and enjoyed playing throughout my life up until I tore my shoulder. Then I turned my life into playing football. That same sport also introduced me into weight lifting which I quickly fell inlove with and am very serious. Bodybuidling and powerlifting are my only sports at the moment which I have been involved in for a year and a half.














2. I am very passionate towards weight lifting. I am planning on competing in powerlifting and then go on to bodybuilding. In my free time I will go to the gym and spend 2-3 hours a day. I got very serious in bodybuilding after I recieved offers of company sponserships which at the time was a very good thing for me.








(265 Close Grip Bench)
(Date: August 31st, 2016)

            (120 pounds in each hand)













3. The most ridiculous lie I have ever told would be when I made my best friend believe he was good football.

4. When I write I usually type everything and when I sit at my computer to type I just let the words flow out of me. Which is also what I am doing right now.

5. My writing experience so far is not much at FDU since I just had one class. What I want to learn is how to improve my writing.

6. The name of the most recent book I have read was Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway

                                                    

7. On Social Media I mainly use Snap Chat and Twitter mostly because Twitter is way to funny to not go on. Instagram I will post stuff every week or couple weeks and I never used facebook. 

8. The most importat thing that I have learned this semester is to balance my work, my hobbies, and hanging out at night. 

9. My definition of Identity is how you see yourself. I feel as if you perceive urself a certain way its who you actually are.

-10. I have a problem with how college is so expensive. I just personally dont like how going to a college can easily put a kid into years of debt. 

11. I rate myself as a C. I just personally have little confidence in my writing.