I’m not sure what the answer is, and, given the number of languages spoken in Southern California alone (my neighborhood is strongly immigrant Armenian, as opposed to first-generation), I doubt there will ever be a solution that fits comfortably for everyone. I’m willing to experiment and see if it affects my perception of the work.

Also, Rudy is correct — the discussion at La Bloga is excellent. I strongly recommend reading what others have to say.

I’m glad the discussion has been adult — I think it’s a fine time to talk about code switching (yes, I’ve learned a new phrase and will be popping it into conversation as much as possible). Since this is the house style for your publisher, readers will also find themselves growing comfortable with the lack of visual cues (and that’s really all the italics are).

Now my inner autodidact will face new challenges…but we’ve survived so far together. I’m really glad your book is getting this kind of notice.

The something I want to say is: consider my last sentence, above. If you read the word gringo, (as you point out) you can “get this on an intellectual level.” But that’s not all there is to Chicano or Hmong or whatever-Lit.

I’m no Umberto Eco, but when some people read “gringo”, it maybe produces a rise of the neck hairs. Why? Because they sense a subtle animosity or infuse it with my Otherness, being Chicano and all. They’re not certain, so let me rephrase it:

Look, gringo, let me tell you something.

You’re certain now, no?–I must be pissed. I must be Chicano or some Other, no? My italics emphasize animosity or my Otherness or the pronouncing of Other idiom. I’m not certain I could give you clarity about which of the three. There’s limits to what the writer wields with the written word.

It reminds me of the Treasure of Sierra Madre (which in my edition doesn’t italicize Spanish): ” I don’t have to show you any stinking badges, you god-damned cabron (sic–cabrón) and ching’ tu madre!” When people jokingly speak these lines, they tend to stick in an accent, even to the English. But that’s based on their having seen the movie.

Does your “stubbornly monolingual gringo soul” get that same consistent perception of accent from reading B.Traven’s Treasure? Not without having seen the movie (or heard others use the lines, I’d contend.

To the author and from a reader’s perspective, how important is it to get that accent into the monolingual reader’s head? Olivas in Devil Talk and La Bloga contributing author Manuel Ramos feel it’s not essential and having opposing views they contributed at La Bloga. I’m crass enough to say go to the site, read those, add your own.

Once the monolinguals become bi, italics won’t be needed (except for emphasis!). That’s not today.

Glad I could help “pinpoint your discomfort”. I’d could go on about more, but I always do, so I won’t.

Rudy Ch. Garcia