David Fernandez
Professor J. Polish
English 102
October 13, 2017
Everything has a reason, some of these reasons come from events that happened in the past that still have an impact on the world today. In the spoken word poem “3 Ways to Speak English” by Jamila Lyiscott, there is a feeling of pride because of the multiple ways the author states that she can communicate in the English language, instead of sticking with that one way of speaking, Jamila decides to branch out and show that there are other ways that you can communicate, and there is also a story behind this. The use of the word articulate is brought up a number of times in this poem to emphasis that Jamila’s knowledge on speaking alternative versions of English is what makes her eloquent.
Lyiscott teaches us that there are many reasons why some people including herself sometimes choose to use their own English when talking instead of using the Eurocentric ideals of speaking “But you can’t expect me to speak your history wholly while mines is broken These words are spoken By someone who is simply fed up with the Eurocentric ideals of this season”(Lyiscott). When she said this quote her voice changed and it got noticeably louder, especially when she used the word broken. If Lyiscott is describing this situation as broken then what someone might ask is how has her history become broken? In order to know what happened in history we would have to go back and time and find out why. We have to pay attention to the incidents that made Jamila feel this way.
Understanding why Lyiscott speaks numerous forms of English comes from her explanation of the the history of her people. “And the reason I speak a composite version of your language is because mines was raped away with my history I speak broken English so the profusing gashes can remind us That our current state is not a mystery I’m so tired of the negative images that are driving my people mad”(Lyiscott). These ways of speaking English is so we don’t forget what happened in the past. The author wants us to remember previous affairs that occurred. These other manners to communicate is what reminds us of those struggles. Lyiscott wants us to know that her ancestors went through tough times. So when she speaks in her composite version of English it’s to let the listeners know that she speaks this way because her original history and language was snatched away from her. When your language is taken away from you a part of your identity is gone. You might have to create your own version of their language that is unique and at the same time your own.
Making your own style of English requires a lot of creativity and you really have to put a great deal of effort into it, this can even make you a better speaker “That’s why I put “tri-lingual” on my last job application I can help diversify your consumer market is all I wanted them to know And when they call me for the interview I’ll be more than happy to show that I can say “What’s good”, “Whatagwan” and of course …“Hello” Because I’m “articulate”(Lyiscott). Having this ability lets you know that nobody is limited to one way of speaking and that you have the choice to be articulate and speak in English however you want while adding your own rules to make your own English language.
In Lyiscott’s poem she wants to let the readers know she speaks in her own form of English because of how history have impacted her and had a long lasting effect on her even to this day. A different way of verbal communication had to be invented because another language was removed. Having all these ways to speak can make someone more expressive and it can remind others about the history of a group of people.
Artist Statement
Before writing this essay about Jamila Lyiscott’s poem “3 Ways to Speak English” I first had to read the poem carefully to try to get in the author’s thoughts as much as I can. I wanted to know why this poem was created and what is the message that the reader is supposed to receive after finishing the poem. At the same time after writing my analysis I wanted the reader to know how I felt about the spoken word piece and what I thought was important. I learned a lot from this poem ,history can have a huge affect on us and it can influence how we see the world and other people. History can also teach us a lesson and impact the way we think, what this poem teached me can be used anywhere in life. Especially in other classes just like when I found quotes to get explain what I learned, I need something that I can go back to to remember what I learned. I also learned that there is more than one right way Jamila mentions that she has three ways of speaking English for home, school, and friends so there are really many ways you can answer a question.
When performing there are multiple ways you can show the audience how you are feeling I never really paid attention to this part until this assignment because I thought that poetry only had to do with words but I learned that volume and body language is also a big part of it. The way Jamila’s voice changed when she used the word Broken to describe her history really shows how important this writing was to her and how very much she wanted us to know about it. Now that I did this assignment I can also use my critical thinking in other places and if I can’t get the answer one way I will try another method until I find what I was looking for.