TOW #7- Mother Tongue

Known for her portrayal of mother-daughter relationships, Amy Tan explores “all the Englishes” that are part of her identity in “Mother Tongue”. She examines the power of language, specifically English, and the different ways that it can be used. Through anecdotes and juxtaposition focusing on Tan and her mother, the essay reveals how language is not only an element of communication, but a measure of individual worth.

            Tan’s Chinese-American background plays a significant role in this essay. Expressing feelings of guilt, she describes her mother’s second language, English, being “broken” or “fractured”, “as if it were damaged and needed to be fixed”. Tan presents anecdotes to display the condescending attitudes given towards her mother due to the limitations of her English. In one situation, she recalls her mother going to an appointment to see a CAT scan. She said that the hospital did not apologize after they had lost the CAT scan, did not seem to have any sympathy, and would not give her any more information. But after having the doctor call Tan, who spoke perfect English, they had assurances that the CAT scan would be found and apologies for the inconvenience. By telling this story and juxtaposing the English spoken by Tan and her mother, she demonstrates the assumptions made by people through language. Because her mother’s English is different than “American English”, it is deceiving in that her mother understands more than one might think when listening to her speak. When Tan speaks on the phone to help her mother, she is taken more seriously. Through this, she displays how language can generate prejudice.

            Despite this, Tan concludes that there are things that language ability can never show; intent, passion, imagery, rhythms of speech, and nature of thought. “Mother Tongue” effectively proves this, revealing a new perception of language.