University:
Ohio University
Course:
ENG 503 | English Language
Academic year:

2020
Views:

223

Pages:

1
Author:

rehinhea0c

In the essay Mother Tongue, Amy Tan shows the reader there is no correct type of English. Tan does an exceptional job at explaining herself through references and personal experiences. She recounts the multiple Englishes used throughout her life. In a formal collegiate setting to the simple yet intimate English used with her mother and husband at home. Tan frequently suggests that her mother’s “broken” way of speaking, despite blatant communal and societal restraints provided Tan a different way of interpreting the world. She writes this personal essay in an informal and relaxed style. There is a compare and contrast sensitivity to the essay. Using a humbled and at times guilty tone Tan assuages the reader into the tonal shifts of her essay. Providing a glance into the discrimination her mother faced due to communication barriers. In addition, the instinctive code-switching Tan herself engaged in. She Fosters an admirably rebellious relatability between herself and the reader. Tan's resolve to resist current language archetypes and refusal to call her mother’s language “broken” or “limited” without the use of quotation marks gives pause for thought on the ruling purpose of this essay. Further on in the essay, she mentions a contrasting belief than that of some Sociologists and linguists. Who speculates a person's developing language skills are likely to be influenced by peers. Tan believes the language spoken in the household. Especially those of immigrant families play a substantial role in the shaping of their language. Tan uses logical reasoning to advance her point. Explaining why a large number of Asian students choose a career in the STEM field. She asserts, “Asian students, as a whole, always do significantly better on math achievement tests than in English.” She recounts teachers often guiding their Asian students away from Creative Writing because of their “broken” English. Instead, these students are frequently steered towards STEM-based alternatives. This very nearly occurred with her. On more than one occasion Tan was advised to direct her talents away from writing. On the journey to embracing and understanding her multiple uses of the English language. Tan gracefully conveys it is inconsequential what the societal standard for English is. Constructing her essay from her own life experience. Tan uses this essay to divulge the effects of bias and discrimination based on an individual's dialect and vocabulary skills. Tan enlightens readers on the need for simplicity to have the most effective reach. Declaring, “Apart from what any critic had to say about my writing, I knew I had succeeded where it counted when my mother finished reading my book and gave me her verdict: "So easy to read." From the aforementioned analysis, it is evident regardless of an individual’s mother tongue. The primary objective of language is to facilitate the ability to express and take part in communal expression.