An Analysis of "Mother Tongue" by Amy Tan

As a college student, I can't stress enough how important language and communication are. Language helps shape who we are, both personally and culturally. It's crucial to understand the many languages spoken in different communities. Amy Tan's essay, "Mother Tongue," dives into the power dynamics tied to language skills and how they affect our personal and cultural identities. This essay aims to break down Tan's message and highlight the role of language in shaping our lives.

Summary of Mother Tongue by Amy Tan

"Mother Tongue" is a personal essay where Amy Tan talks about her relationship with the English language. She shares that she grew up in a bilingual household, where her mom’s English was often seen as "broken" or "limited" by the English-speaking majority. Her mom's English had grammatical mistakes and a strong accent, making it hard for her to communicate clearly. The essay points out the language barriers faced by those from non-English speaking backgrounds and how it affects their confidence and self-identity. Tan also shows how her mom's limited English has shaped her own writing style.

Analysis of Language Usage

In "Mother Tongue," Tan talks about the different types of English she uses, influenced by cultural and social factors. She mentions three kinds of English in her life: the English she used at school, her mom's limited English, and a simpler version her mom used to talk to her. Tan explains her experiences with each type and how they shaped her identity. She admits that the English spoken at home wasn’t perfect, but it was genuine and reflected her mom's culture. However, her mom's limited English also led to discrimination, making her feel inferior and embarrassed about her language skills.

Examination of Cultural Influences

Culture plays a big role in how we communicate and how good we are with language. Tan notes that her mom's "limited" English was due to growing up in China, where English isn’t the main language. Even though English isn’t her mom's first language, it’s still a big part of her identity. Tan shares that her struggles with language barriers have influenced her writing style, which mixes her mom's simpler English with the standard English she learned at school. Through "Mother Tongue," Tan emphasizes the importance of keeping one's cultural identity despite language barriers and discrimination.

Language and Power Dynamics

The essay also touches on the power dynamics linked to language skills. Tan shows how her mom's limited English made her feel inferior and led to discrimination. She notes that the English spoken by people from non-English speaking backgrounds is often seen as less than the standard English spoken by the majority. The essay calls for recognizing the beauty and value of all languages and appreciating the different types of English spoken in various communities. By acknowledging these differences, we can create a more inclusive society that respects all languages and communication styles.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Amy Tan's "Mother Tongue" highlights how important language is in shaping our personal and cultural identities. The essay shows how language barriers and discrimination affect people from non-English speaking backgrounds. It also points out the power dynamics tied to language skills and the need to value all languages spoken in different communities. As college students, we should appreciate the diversity of languages and communication styles and work towards building a society that respects and values all languages.