Amy Tan Mother Tongue Analysis

Language is a way of communication and it is constantly changing. For those whose first language isn’t English, there will definitely be challenges in learning it; yet there is still criticism in how non-native speakers use the language. In Amy Tan’s “Mother Tongue” she writes about how language can influence life experiences and describes the true purpose of language as more than correct grammar and complex terms. Within my own experiences, I can relate to the message in Tan’s writing in the ways of regret, lack of respect, and often being the one who explained/translated for my family.

The United States of America is a big, powerful and wealthy country in the world. The diversity of class, individuality, religion, and race are a few of the embellishments within the "melting pot" of our society. The blend of these numerous diversities is the crucial ingredient to our modern nation. America has been formed upon them, its inhabitants- the "average American"- have a single means in common; a single concept; a single goal; the American Dream. The Dream consists of a seemingly simple theory; success.

Amy Tan’s literacy narrative “Mother Tongue” is about the different dialects of English, she is familiar with. She explains that her intelligence is judged by the way she speaks. Amy Tan, explains memories from her life where she encounters many forms of English. Her mother, a Chinese immigrant spoke “broken English.” She describes her mother as someone who was able to understand English, well the mother claims that she understands everything, but when it came to speaking, she spoke without the correct grammar. Due to her mothers broken English, Amy Tan has adapted to the type of English her mother speaks, their own type of English language. Tan feels as if the English she is speaking with it outside world is more complex than the English she

In Mother Tongue, Amy Tan talks about how language influenced her life while growing up. Through pathos she explains to her audience how her experiences with her mother and the Chinese language she came to realize who she wanted to be and how she wanted to write.

In Mother Tongue by Amy Tan, she begins her writing by doubting herself as a writer. My initial thought about this opening statement was confusion; why would she start a paper doubting her ability and possibly turning readers away? However, I read the opening sentences again and found myself wanting to read through her paper. I found her first sentences provided a unique and interesting way to describe herself and I wanted to know why she would describe herself in such a way in the very beginning of her piece. I think she chose to say this because she feels that no one can be an expert in the language of English. There are just too many versions of the English language itself and then add on all the variations that American people have added

Not all people whose English as a second language speak it in the same way. This argument made by Amy Tan in her story, “Mother Tongue”. In this essay, she successfully uses all three of Aristotle’s rhetorical styles such as ethos, logos, and pathos. Tan also notably balances each part of the rhetorical triangle and ultimately led to creating a very effective and thought provoking essay.

United by the obligations of the law, yet entirely divided by society, welcome to America. Patriots chant “equality” one moment, and “deport them” the next. Cruel, unaccepting, and uncompassionate, American society of the majority often appears to view itself as sovereign, turning a blind eye to, and often contributing to, the struggles of minorities. In “Mother Tongue”, Amy Tan (1990) does an excellent job of sharing her experience with similar issues as she tells her readers about the struggles her mother encountered due to being an immigrant who only spoke “broken” English. Society often put no weight into what Tan’s mother had to say, believing her ability to express her thoughts reflected the quality of said thoughts, which are of absolutely no correlation (Tan, 1990). This often led to Tan having to intervene for her mother, especially during serious situations that required resolution (Tan, 1990). Immigrants, no matter how intelligent or talented, may be plagued by continuous struggles because of a lack of understanding of English or American culture, stereotypes encouraged by the media, and discrimination, especially in the workplace.

“We are a country where people of all backgrounds, all nations of origin, all languages, all religions, all races, can make a home. America was built by immigrants” Hillary Clinton stated. What she means in this quote is immigrants had a huge influence on America. America would be extremely different without them, without the diverse population here we would not know or be exposed to the different cultures, languages, and religions that we know today.

In Amy Tan’s essay, “Mother Tongue” (1990), she asserts to her audience that people shouldn’t be judged for how they speak, that all english is correct, and that there is no “wrong way” to speak english. Tan supports her belief using her experience with her mother’s English and the English she grew up with to tell how growing up she would be embarrassed whenever her mother talked and how people wouldn’t take her seriously or people wouldn’t be able to understand her. By using a personal example, she makes her audience feel sympathy in order to make them think and maybe change the way they look at people with a disability or people who just can’t speak right. Tan is trying to get her audience to listen to her and hope that they’ll do something

Tan recalls how when growing up her mother’s “limited” speaking skills would also limit her own perception of her mother. Concluding that not only was her mother’s English imperfect, but so were her thoughts. Tan felt shame for her mother’s lack of ability to communicate clearly and “believed that her English reflected the quality of what she had to say.” (Tan) pg21. Exemplifying the false perceptions some, even Tan, may have towards these English language speakers.

“I began to write stories using all the Englishes I grew up with,” says Amy Tan in her essay “Mother Tongue” (268). Amy is referring to the fact that she varies her type of language based on who her audience is. Once Amy Tan realized this, she began to write things with her different types of English, instead of just using one kind of English for writing books. Amy Tan’s personal life examples of different Englishes shows the idea that everyone has several different types of English of their own. Everyone tends to slant their language to appease different audiences.

Luisa Guzman Gomez (2pm-4pm) In Mother Tongue by Amy Tan an american chinese writer describes the different types of English she uses throughout her life. Tan states, “My mother was in the room. And it was perhaps the first time she had heard me give a lengthy speech, using the kind of English I have never used with her (p 197).” Tan points out the differences of language spoken between a group of strangers compare to the type of speech she has with her mother.

The article's main claim of concerns that occurred with living with a parent of ill-advised English and the mistreatment towards them from strangers is unacceptable, distasteful, and unpleasant.

How does a text explicitly or allegorically represent various aspects of linguistic oppression or the benefits of multilingualism? In many ways, it is implicit that multilingualism has its pros and cons. In “Mother Tongue” my Amy Tan, she shows that knowing Chinese and English has helped her connect with both her family and with the world around her. She can become an esteemed writer due to her prolific knowledge in English, but she can also be close to her mother as well because of this.

Upon reading, “Mother Tongue,” written by Amy Tan, it was a story close to home. To clarify, even though it was only four pages long, Amy Tan was able to connect her personal experience with mine. Therefore, the reader characteristics that had personal qualities and relevant events would mostly be about how Amy Tan, herself, and her mother perceived English and the challenges that came from it. Whether it was having to code switch from English to another second language (Chinese or Spanish), helping family members to express themselves, have developed language skills, or simply the fact that writing should be perfectly imperfect. These characteristics affected me personally because it is relatable to a English-Spanish