The author grew up in between American and Mexican cultures. In school, she got punished for speaking Spanish at recess, and in college, she had to attend classes that were taught on how to speak without an accent.

She proposes the idea that languages are living. They constantly evolve, and different dialects can form as a means of expression or through localization. Languages can mix and merge to form new dialects that contain ideas from both. 

The author then goes on to explain that languages are often used as a means of discrimination, and segregation. However, the inverse is also true. Discriminated groups will often form a new dialect or culture as a result of that discrimination.


- The idea was proposed that languages can form in a way that's predominantly a male discourse.
- Languages are living, and dialects form as a means of expression.
- Languages mix and merge.
- Discrimination and segregation occur because of language, and vice versa.
- The language someone speaks is a large part of their identity. 
- Art created with a culture specific dialect can hold immense significance for members of that culture, and can be a means of sharing that culture.
- The culture you exist in becomes internalized in your identity.
- Excluding groups from a culture can lead to new cultures forming.