Written by young Mexican-American poet Benjamin Garcia, “The Language in Question” is the perfect poem to open discussion on language prejudice. The poem’s political commentary begins with its title; the “language in question” is English because, as the speaker goes on to suggest, no matter the context, English is never not in question. English is, as the speaker says a few lines later, “the apex predator” of languages. We ignore it at our own peril.
The poem also provides simultaneous examples of the following: writing for cathartic release, writing to insult, writing to persuade, writing to illustrate a philosophical treatise, writing to provide historical analysis, writing to establish identity, and writing to reflect.
You can find a video of the poet reading the poem here.
Some potential discussion questions:
-How is English violent, “criminal,” the “apex predator?” What is its prey?
-How does English commit such violence? Who are its agents?
-Does the author suggest that he is in some ways complicit with English’s violence? If so, how does he do that?
-What measures does the speaker take in order to avoid offending the English speakers reading this poem?
-What is the poem’s tone, and how does it contribute to the poem’s meaning?
-The speaker describes English as a “poison,” but also as a “salve.” Why?