En Los Dos Idiomas

Marcia Farr is a participant observer in the ethnography of communication among Mexican immigrants. The study involved forty-five people with an education range from zero to eight years and was concluded throughout five years in Chicago (on weekends) and six weeks in Mexico. There were two ranchos that were observed that were the complete opposite of each other, however they both practiced literacy whether acquired through schooling or not. The men from the rancho of Guanajuato achieved literacy without formal education. They learned it lirico meaning informally by others who only spoke the language. In Michoacan, they learned it school based. In addition to the importance of literacy whether oral or written, another important role within these two ranchos (communities) is the concept of compadrazgo: the Mexican system of godparent like relationships that function as a reciprocal exchange network to facilitate economic survival and provide emotional and social support (Farr P 468). Because of compadrazgo it is essential for the Mexicans to maintain close relationships and more importantly, stay in contact with each other thus emphasizing the importance of literacy whether through writing letters or telephone calls.

The significance of this study is to acknowledge that learning literacy isn’t just limited to an education. It can just as well be achieved through informal practices. In addition, literacy plays a key role in keeping connections with family members and compadres where trust and commitment are essential in producing learning and teaching among themselves. Furthermore, I can relate to many of these circumstances and experiences because of my family background. My parents are also immigrants who came from a rancho with limited schooling. They had to focus on work to survive. My mother taught my dad letters and numbers and to at least be able to sign his name. In addition, my mother has acquired a lot of the English language informally by just hearing it spoken. It’s truly significant how one is able to learn literacy and use it under any condition.