Amy Tan Mother Tongue Analysis

Language is a fundamental necessity one needs to function in a given society. It is what allows one to express themselves in their speech, writing, or thoughts. Without this, functioning in a given society would be difficult. In “ Mother Tongue” by Amy Tan, she uses her mother as an example of the different types of English that exist and how different language is used depending on the situation and circumstance one is in.

“Lately, I’ve been giving more thought to the kind of English my mother speaks. Like others, I have described it to people as “broken” or ‘fractured” English.’” (Tan 380) Amy Tan like many others uses the term broken, fractured and sometimes limited to describe her mother’s English. “Broken” when being referred to the way one speaks a language, means that one does not speak a proper or well-spoken language. Amy’s mother’s English, due to it not being considered proper, limited her mother in ways that are not surprising. Growing up, Amy on many occasions had to pretend to be her mother due to others not taking her mother serious. This experience is what made Amy realize her advantage in life being able to speak proper

English.

“Just last week, I was walking down the street with my mother, and I again found myself conscious of the English I was using, the English I do use with her...My husband was with us as well, and he didn’t notice any switch in my English.” (Tan 380) Although Tan has the ability to speak proper English, when she is with her family she speaks a different type of English.

This answers the question of how one talks depending on their situation and circumstance. When she is with her family, she tends to use the same English that is spoken to her. When she is writing or talking about her work, she talks professionally. Like her, many use different types of language depending on their situation and circumstance. One would not speak the way they would to their boss, the same way one would speak with their family or

friends.

To conclude, I believe that although the language is important in society, it should not limit someone the way it limited Amy’s mother. Just because one cannot speak a language does not make them stupid. Amy’s mother’s English was used against her when it came to talking to important people due to them thinking lower of her because she couldn’t properly speak the language. The way one uses their language does not define someone, it is what they are attempting to say with the little amounts of the language one knows.