Refer to Explorations in Literature for a complete version of this interview.

In "Interview with Simon Ortiz," Ortiz describes the impact of his cultural identity and heritage:

"I cannot be anything except an Acoma man in nature, philosophy, and outlook and so forth. Although, obviously, in terms of technical linguistics, there are going to be influences and implications from other sources. There may be colorings that are not so easily interchangeable and are not synonymous from one language to another."

How does Ortiz's use of language in this excerpt set a formal tone?

His use of longer, more complex sentences give this part of the interview a more relaxed, contemplative feel.

His use of terms like "technical linguistics" and "influences and implications" give this part of the interview a very academic, elevated feel.

His use of the first-person pronoun makes this part of the interview feel quite critical and patronizing.

His use of the words "interchangeable" and "synonymous" makes this part of the interview feel overly serious or severe.