Comments | jorgemorejon: My Words Perform Me

jorgemorejon

My Words Perform Me

Jun 05, 2007 20:12

Perhaps, there is a place where art grows accent-deaf

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Comments 5

Accents...from Maruchi anonymous June 6 2007, 18:21:03 UTC

I can relate to Jorge’s comments in reference to having an accent. I have been told the same thing too. I have heard that my “J”s are too French. I have heard “Why does your daughter not have an accent and you do ( ... )

Re: Accents...from Jorge jorgemorejon June 8 2007, 02:41:39 UTC

I appreciate Maruchi’s words of support. It has been particularly challenging for me here in Canada. I am more exposed to it because I have chosen a field, acting, that has traditionally rejected people who look and sound different than the mainstream. The case of Desi Arnaz is a classic example of how unfair and at the same time unjustified the whole issue is. In Miami, Hispanic and Latinos, particularly Cuban-Americans do not feel the difference as much as in other areas of North America. There is such a thing as “a Miami accent,” which means English spoken with the Spanish inflections and musicality, which also means mixing the two, switching from one language to the other without even realizing it, and which also means mixing Spanish terms of endearment, such as “papi”, and name diminutives like Ricardito for Richard or even a “Cortadito” for a coffee. It is incredibly charming to hear my English speaking friend call my mom mamasita. It is that level of flexibility what has made our city a successful destination for all kinds of ( ... )

Accents...from Maruchi anonymous June 6 2007, 18:23:55 UTC

From Maruchi anonymous June 11 2007, 15:49:23 UTC

Jorge, I would say that it has also been challenging tome to live in the Northeast United States ( ... )

Re: From Jorge jorgemorejon June 21 2007, 13:23:07 UTC

Thank you so much Maruchi for answering my entry on accents. I sympathize with your comment. My experience has been that many Cuban-Americans who came to the US when they were little, or who were born in the US, discover their true Cubanness when they go north to study. For them it becomes a cultural shock to discover a world where they are not considered true Americans. The Spanish surname, among other possible characteristics related to ethnic and cultural issues, immediately reveals their otherness. Perhaps, this is why, surprisingly, more young Cuban-Americans show an interest in issues related to the possible changes that will take place in Cuba, Raices de Esperanza is an example of this. Also, maybe that is why, as you mention, they tend to go to South Florida. I am not familiar with the situation of Cubans in Canada, where I live now ( ... )