"Correct" language is hard to determine. With English, it seems that "professional" language, such as the English Amy Tan uses in her speeches, not the "home" tongue Gloria Anzaldua uses, would be the "correct" form. But with a country made up of so many different areas and cultures, it is hard for a standard English to even be established among peers who live on opposite sides of the United States. Different cultures inside of America manipulate English and mesh it with other languages, creating something different from standard entirely. Is this not correct?
I believe that "correct" language depends entirely on the audience. Language changes with the audience, so as long as you are using the appropriate language for the setting, you are using language correctly. If you are in a room of 4 year olds using "professional" English, you will not get your point across. Language is a communicative tool. If there is only one correct way to use this language, it would be very hard to communicate with different age groups, social groups, and cultural groups.
Language is about communication. Correct language can only be determined from the setting. It is correct for Gloria to use Spanish words in a comfortable setting around her family and friends who could comprehend this language integration! In fact, manipulation of language in this way only helps advance language-- more words are added to the English every day borrowed from other languages! The ability to change and adapt language to different surroundings is what makes language such an important technology for society to grow and evolve.
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