An Analysis of "Mother Tongue" by Amy Tan

As a college student, the importance of language and communication cannot be overstated. Language plays a crucial role in shaping personal and cultural identity, and it is paramount to understand the diverse languages spoken in different communities. Amy Tan's essay, "Mother Tongue," explores the power dynamic associated with language proficiency and how it impacts personal and cultural identity. This essay seeks to analyze the message of the essay and the significance of language in shaping people's lives.

Summary of Mother Tongue by Amy Tan

"Mother Tongue" is a personal essay that explores the author's relationship with the English language. Tan reveals that she grew up in a bilingual household where her mother's English was considered "broken" or "limited" by the dominant English-speaking community. Tan's mother's language proficiency was characterized by grammatical errors and a heavy accent, which made it difficult for her to communicate effectively. The essay highlights the language barriers that individuals who come from non-English speaking backgrounds face and how these barriers affect their confidence and self-identity. Tan also reveals how her mother's limited English skills have influenced her own writing style.

Analysis of Language Usage

"Mother Tongue" highlights the existence of different Englishes influenced by cultural and social factors. The author identifies three types of English spoken in her life: the English spoken in school, her mother's limited English, and her mother's "watered-down" version of English, which she used to communicate with Tan. Tan describes her experience with each of these Englishes and the role they played in shaping her identity. Tan acknowledges that the English spoken in her household was not perfect, but it was genuine and reflected her mother's cultural identity. However, the author also reveals that her mother's limited English caused her to face discrimination, which made her feel inferior and ashamed of her language proficiency.

Examination of Cultural Influences

Culture shapes people's communication styles and language proficiency. Tan notes that her mother's "limited" English, which was caused by growing up in China where English was not a native language, impacted her language proficiency in America. The author notes that English is not her mother tongue, but it is still a significant part of her identity. Tan also reveals that her personal experience with language barriers has influenced her writing style, which is a combination of her mother's "watered-down" English and the standard English spoken in school. Through "Mother Tongue," Tan highlights the importance of preserving one's cultural identity even in the face of language barriers and discrimination.

Language and Power Dynamics

The essay highlights the power dynamics associated with language proficiency. The author reveals how her mother's limited English made her feel inferior and led to discrimination and stigmatization. Tan also notes that the English spoken by individuals from non-English speaking backgrounds is often treated as inferior to standard English spoken by the dominant community. The essay highlights the need to recognize the beauty and worth of all languages and the need to appreciate the diversity of Englishes spoken by different communities. By acknowledging these differences, we can build a more inclusive society that values and respects all languages and communication styles.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Amy Tan's "Mother Tongue" highlights the significance of language in shaping personal and cultural identity. Through the essay, Tan reveals how language barriers and discrimination impact individuals from non-English speaking backgrounds. The essay also highlights the power dynamics associated with language proficiency and the importance of recognizing the value of all languages spoken in different communities. As college students, we need to appreciate the diversity of languages and communication styles and work towards building an inclusive society that respects and values all languages.

References

1. Tan, Amy. “Mother Tongue,” The Threepenny Review, no. 43, 1990, pp. 6–8.
2. Crystal, David. The Cambridge encyclopedia of the English language. Cambridge University Press, 2018.
3. Lippi-Green, Rosina. English with an accent: Language, ideology, and discrimination in the United States. Routledge, 2012.