"We're everywhere, and it's time to come out of the closet: I speak of the tongue-tied generation, buyers of books with titles like "Master Spanish in Ten Minutes a Day while You Nap." . . . We grew up listening to the language--usually in the kitchens of extended family--but we answered back mostly in English."

Demetria Martinez wields her trademark blend of humor and irony to give voice to her own "tongue-tied generation" in this notable series of essays, revealing her deeply personal views of the world. Martinez breaks down the barriers between prayer and action, between the border denizen and the citizen of the world, and between patriarchal religion and the Divine Mother. She explores her identity as a woman who has within her the "blood of the conquered and the conqueror," and who must daily contend with yet a third world--white America.

"Confessions of a Berlitz-Tape Chicana "takes the reader on Martinez's journey to answer, or perhaps to ameliorate, the sense of anguish she encounters in the individuals she interviews. This collection of her hard-edged columns succeeds in its venture to illuminate what can only be described as the pervasive perplexity of everyday life.""--Norman Mailer, author of "Armies of the Night "

""In the beginning was the word. But then the word was co-opted by the politicians. And it was not good. Here, then, is a poet who puts 'pen to paper . . . to] call the world to order.' This is the Gospel according to Santa Demetria the peacemaker, and it is good.""--Sandra Cisneros, author of "Caramelo"

Demetria Martinez is the author of the widely translated novel "Mother Tongue" and of two books of poetry--"The Devil's Workshop" and "Breathing Between the Lines." She is also a columnist for the independent progressive weekly "National Catholic Reporter." She currently resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico.