Returning a Borrowed Tongue: An Anthology of Filipino and Filipino American Poetry

by Nick Carbó (Editor)

A major collection of contemporary poetry, Returning a Borrowed Tongue brings Filipino/Filipino American poets from both sides of the Pacific Ocean together for the first time, in a single anthology of poetry. Ranging from celebrated poets such as Jessice Hagedorn and N.V.M. Gonzalez to writers whose work is not readily available elsewhere, this engaging collection represents a poetic tradition that is uniquely Filipino/Filipino American. Written in English, the poems of Returning a Borrowed Tongue reflect a relationship with the English language that spans almost a century. In the early years of U.S. colonization, Filipino poets were forced to “borrow” a foreign tongue; today, fifty years after independence, they return the borrowed tongue with lyrical poems about migration, immigration, exile, nostalgia, desire, poverty, exploitation, racism, American culture, love, and invisibility.

Genres: Poetry, Asian American, Anthologies

238 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

A smart anthology. Two of my favorites are 'Love Song' and 'Unlearning English.'

[Georgiana · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was a little inconsistent of themes, but I enjoyed some of the poems and it was refreshing to have an anthology that was Filipino-based.