The author began the story using a metaphor, comparing the acculturation process to a painful visit to the dentist in which the dentist tries to control and hold down her tongue, which it is a representation of his language (Anzaldua 8). He addresses the readers using a clever metaphor comparing his tongue to freedom of speech or language, and the dentist to the oppressors of his culture and language, the people who belong to the dominant culture. Anzaldua also discusses how different cultures and influences determine which language people use to speak to each other. Anzaldua herself writes, “Often with Mexicans and Latinos we will speak English as a neutral language” (Anzaldua 8). Anzaldua's point is that it's hard to know what language to speak when you're afraid or ashamed of what others might think. Additionally, Anzaldua talks about issues such as not being able to speak her native language. She writes that she remembers as a child how speaking Spanish was forbidden at school and being caught speaking would have meant being scolded. Anzaldua writes, “I remember being caught speaking Spanish at recess: it was good for three licks on the knuckles with a sharp ruler” (Anzaldua 5). By making this comment it shows us that throughout the school day you are