Analysis Mother Tongue Amy Tan
Kristen Smith
Ms. Brittany Boykins
ENC1101
16 January 2014
Title
After reading “Mother Tongue” by Amy Tan, it was rigorous for Asian Americans learning the English language. The article discusses the different languages of English that Tan had learned and frequently used throughout her life. Then the difficulties that she had learning in school because English wasn’t her best subject. Additionally, were issues that follow along her, due to the way Amy’s mother spoke English. English as a second language for Tan was very difficult, but through her mistakes, she succeeded. When she became a writer, it got easier after she realized the variety of languages she had already spoke throughout her lifetime. She constantly used diverse languages with multiple people and had absolutely no idea she was. It became easier for Amy to differentiate and correct herself. Tan’s life was hard for her to become the aspiring writer she wanted to be. As an Asian American, to succeed in something that no one believed she could was foolish. And even though English wasn’t Amy’s first language, in the long run it changed her understanding of the English language. Tan’s purpose was to show us how language can separate, unite, or isolate those who don’t speak perfect English. Literacy should have no limitations on how people view other people.
Quotes
“I believed that her English reflected the quality of what she had to say” (Tan 635). This quote gives me the idea that Amy’s mothers English was perfect to her, but imperfect to other people, calling Tan’s mothers English “broken”.
“It has become our language of intimacy, a different sort of English that relates to family talk, the language I grew up with” (Tan 634). Family talk is the language she grew up talking to her mother in that sounds perfect to her, but imperfect to others.
Ms. Brittany Boykins
ENC1101
16 January 2014
Title
After reading “Mother Tongue” by Amy Tan, it was rigorous for Asian Americans learning the English language. The article discusses the different languages of English that Tan had learned and frequently used throughout her life. Then the difficulties that she had learning in school because English wasn’t her best subject. Additionally, were issues that follow along her, due to the way Amy’s mother spoke English. English as a second language for Tan was very difficult, but through her mistakes, she succeeded. When she became a writer, it got easier after she realized the variety of languages she had already spoke throughout her lifetime. She constantly used diverse languages with multiple people and had absolutely no idea she was. It became easier for Amy to differentiate and correct herself. Tan’s life was hard for her to become the aspiring writer she wanted to be. As an Asian American, to succeed in something that no one believed she could was foolish. And even though English wasn’t Amy’s first language, in the long run it changed her understanding of the English language. Tan’s purpose was to show us how language can separate, unite, or isolate those who don’t speak perfect English. Literacy should have no limitations on how people view other people.
Quotes
“I believed that her English reflected the quality of what she had to say” (Tan 635). This quote gives me the idea that Amy’s mothers English was perfect to her, but imperfect to other people, calling Tan’s mothers English “broken”.
“It has become our language of intimacy, a different sort of English that relates to family talk, the language I grew up with” (Tan 634). Family talk is the language she grew up talking to her mother in that sounds perfect to her, but imperfect to others.