Amy Tan's Perspective on Language and Communication
Amy Tan in her article, “Mother Tongue” appears to ask whether the mastery of a language is a measure of intelligence. That question lingers into the minds of many people concerned about the predicaments of non-native English speakers. However, there is more into language than meets the ear.
The Power of Language as a Social Tool
First, language is a powerful social tool. Through it, people can exchange ideas, evoke emotions, and shed simple truths. It means that the use of language leads to a form accomplishment. For instance, many people use the English language to communicate. Whatever they achieve through their exchanges is what becomes of vital importance; those achievements that apportion language the status of the tool. Language is therefore contextual. Regardless of what is thought to be Standard English, the contextual coding of a language is what gives it meaning.
The Practice of Code-Switching
The practice of shifting language codes and forms depending on the context is a fundamental skill in communication. The shift will at times happen deliberately – maybe with the aim to conceal information, or even to evoke a sense of belonging. For instance, as Tan notes, many immigrants who are non-native speakers of English will have their style of speaking the language at the family level. The most surprising thing about her observation is the acknowledgment that the language is never devoid of meaning. Mostly, you will find that the people using it are appreciating all the element of impeccable language albeit in a contextually different manner. Whereas a person who is not familiar with the language may dismiss it as fractured English, people who appreciate the codes will hear it as “vivid, direct, full of observation and imagery” (Tan 7). Thus, language is one thing, and the use of codes is another.
Understanding Non-Standard English and Breaking the Prejudice
Code-switching is a widespread practice. In fact, the use thereof is not an implication of lack of mastery in the use of the English language. Often, even people with an exquisite mastery of the English language at times switch their codes for accommodation. Tan, for instance, is undoubtedly a master of the English language going by the standards that are taught and learned in schools. She is an exemplary writer and an erudite speaker of the English language, yet she finds herself speaking fractured English with her mother. It appears that she understands the fundamental essence of English as a language which is basically communication. That is why she inadvertently switches from the classroom prowess to the family brokenness. Either way, she meets her objectives. In her formal talks, she communicates with the audience; and in her familial talks, the hails the broken language that they use as intimate. Switching from one form of English to the other is necessary for communication.
Unfortunately, many regard non-standard English as intellectually inferior. Often, when a person has not mastered flawless English theirs will be despised. People have created the perception that there is an acceptable standard of English and anything otherwise is treated with a subtle contempt. The expectations involve the use of “normalized forms, past perfect tenses, [and] conditional phrases” (Tan 7). All of those is learned in schools and through studies. Nonetheless, there are others like Tan’s mother who does not have the chance to attend any English classes. Despite her supposed illiteracy, Tan points out that “she reads the Forbes report, listens to Wall Street Week, converses daily with her stockbroker” (7). It is not easy to understand how all these happens considering that there is an already established prejudice that she might not be understanding the basics of English. That is perhaps the reason she is often treated with contempt by people seemingly do not understand her codes. There is nothing as inferior English; what matters is the meaning.
The Expressive Mastery of English and Misconceptions
The expressive mastery of English is not proportional to the understanding of the same. It is possible thus to have a person who the best they can offer is fractured English, but that does not mean that they do not understand it. Tan’s mother is perfect example especially with her indulgences and the readings that she does as explained hereinabove. It is funny that most of her friends understand little of what her mother says, yet she manages to crack the complex of the Wall Street Week considering the characteristic saturation of impeccable business jargon in the texts. Tan’s friend views her mother’s English as something next or near to the Chinese language, yet to Tan, it is a clear and natural English (Tan 7). In fact, there are fundamental elements of language that qualify it as such. For instance, language ought to open up our panorama of the worldview by arousing our sensual capabilities. Tan’s mother’s fractured language that shaped the way she views things. That it is fractured does not render it meaningless.
The Impact on ESL Students and the Literature Field
Unfortunately, that misconception has had lots of negative effects on ESL students. The fact that they do not exude an impeccable mastery of English makes most of the instructor downplay their possible progress in the world of literature. Could it be that the students are not gifted in that area of study? Absolutely no! That fallacious perception has fomented to critical sociological concerns whose premises may be unfounded. For instance, Tan observes that there are very few Asian-American writers of literature. Her indulgence in writing, she confesses was due to her rebellious nature. That means, had she listened to the counsel of her tutors, she could not have ventured into the literary world. Her exceptional talent would have gone to waste due to the prejudice that most people have towards the ESL students. In fact, it is not scientific that their niche lies in the sciences and mathematics. In reality, they happen to excel in the said disciplines simply because they are precise while language is judgmental. Steering non-natives away from literature faculties is prejudicial and often driven by unfounded fallacious premises.
The Importance of Meaning in Language
Therefore, the aspect of code-switching as espoused by Tan in her article “Mother Tongue,” shows that it is a concept that has both sociological and linguistic dimensions. Besides, it is her implied position that the essence of language is communication. Perhaps, the exchange of meaning is more important than the mode of command that the speaker uses. Moreover, it is evident from her text that the use of fractured English does not render communication meaningless. Perhaps, it makes it only limited since there are others who may not understand the contents. However, it is fallacious to think that ESL students do not have a niche in the literature due to their broken language. In fact, it is very unfortunate that it has been used to shut down the potential prospects of students who could successfully venture in literary fields. Sad that people like Tan, who are undoubtedly exemplarily gifted, had to realize their talents through rebellion as opposed to mentorship. Perhaps, if meaning instead of form were given priority, even fractured English literature users would certainly create works that would receive an “easy to read” verdict.
Work Cited
Tan, Amy. "Mother tongue." The Threepenny Review, No. 43 (Autumn, 1990), pp. 7-8.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/4383908
