The short story "Mother's tongue" by Amy Tan revolves about the author's contemplation and judgment about broken English in comparison to the Standard English. Tan realizes that language does not only allow individuals to participate in a particular community but also aids in the determination of one's identity. Despite her being a language lover, Tan notes that she has never been eloquent before her mother. Moreover, she apprehends that her husband could not have any slightest reaction when some grammatical phrases were uttered wrongly. However, Tan does not blame him but notes that for the fact that they have been living together for twenty years, the wrong English phrases had become part of their marital life. Additionally, the author complains that her literacy in English had been affected by the encounter she faced through various individuals judging her language. This paper examines the author's purpose in the plot and what she wanted the audience to know through her storyline.
The author's purpose in the story gyrates around portraying the variations English around her. She internalizes the conflict she had with the English learned from her mother, and that taught in school. Tan shares her experience as an adolescent and develops some frustration after being taken for granted by her peers since she could not speak in the way the society expects. She realizes that society can have terrible misconceptions about individuals who did not match their language expectations. Moreover, the author develops the same perception towards her mother broken English. For instance, the author recalls:
I know this for a fact because when I was growing up, my mother's "limited" English limited my perception of her. I was ashamed of her English. I believed that her English reflected the quality of what she had to say that is because she expressed them imperfectly her thoughts were imperfect (Tan 78).
The author seems to be embarrassed by her mother, especially when she talks due to her "broken English," portraying the perception that the society has towards such individuals.
On the other hand, the author wants the audience to realize the discrimination of the "Broken English" in comparison to the Standard English. First, Tan portrays that by talking "Broken English" continuously, it become normality to the persons to the extent that they cannot realize any mistake with the phrases communicated. For instance, Tan's husband does not recognize any grammatical error during the conversation she is having with her mother.
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. We were talking about the price of new and used furniture, and I heard myself saying this: "Not waste money that way." My husband was with us as well, and he didn't notice any switch in my English. And then I realized why. It's because over the twenty years we've been together I've often used that same kind of English with him, and sometimes he even uses it with me (Tan 76).
Therefore, the author depicts that talking "Broken English" for a long time, becomes a language of intimacy to involved individuals. Moreover, the author portrays how comprehension of a specific language can vary from one person to another. For example, she recalls about her mother English
She reads the Forbes report, listens to Wall Street Week, converses daily with her stockbroker, reads all of Shirley MacLaine's books with ease--all kinds of things I can't begin to understand. Some of my friends tell me they know 50 percent of what my mother says. Some say they understand 80 to 90 percent. Some say they understand none of it as if she were speaking pure Chinese. But to me, my mother's English is clear, perfectly natural (Tan 77).
Most of Tan's friend can hardly understand what her mother says, yet to Tan she understands the language perfectly well. More so, she portrays that "Mother Tongue" can have a misleading illusion about someone's education level since her mother grasps better in English unlike her speaking ability and can read high-level papers with ease.
Conclusively, Tan story "Mother Tongue" portrays the discriminations individuals' undergo due to speaking "Broken English." She claims that the “Mother Tongue” learned from her mother contributed to her illiteracy. Moreover, individuals in society have a negative perspective towards her, since she does not speak as they expect. However, she works hard to change the misconception by excelling in school and portraying to her peers that language does not determine someone's fate in the society.
Works Cited
Tan, Amy. "Mother Tongue." The Joy Luck Club. Ed. Ying-Ying. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1989. 76-80.
