Growing up in a household where English was a second (and difficult) language, Amy Tan witnessed firsthand the effects that her mother’s Chinese background had on her success and opportunity. Ms. Tan saw how her mother’s “broken” English lessened her confidence, created a divide between her and other people around her, and caused a great deal of frustration when just trying to get things done. The fact that she could not speak as well as other people limited the perception others had on her mother’s capabilities. Tan realized that her mother was not given the same thought or respect that she should have been due to her “imperfect” English. She recognized quickly that in society seemed to use one’s English-speaking level as a measure of their intelligence. This is more than unfair.
To prove just how much of an influence one’s English-speaking ability has on people’s view of their intelligence, Amy Tan gives multiple personal and surrounding experiences where one -either her mother or another person in the same situation- had been made to feel inferior because of their proficiency in English. One example that had a huge impact on both Amy AND her mother’s life was the fact that, since her she had so much trouble speaking to people over the phone, Amy had to pretend to be her mom every time she was supposed to be on a phone call. She had much better luck and a better response from whomever was on the other line when she did so. Amy also pointed out how in school Asians in particular scored so much higher on math exams but for the majority did not do so well in English. This doesn’t mean they can’t write! But because it’s not the language spoken at home for many individuals they struggle with the logistics and proper grammar behind it all. She was even discouraged, herself, from pursuing writing because she was told she could not do it. Look at her, now.
“Mother Tongue” is a bit of a play on words, in my perspective. It tells of both one’s native language, and literally of Amy Tan’s mother and the specific manner and way in which she spoke English and how it affected her life.
“Mother Tongue” speaks to those who cannot understand what Amy or her mother are going through. It teaches those who have never known what it’s like to be segregated from society around them because of their struggle with the language. It encourages people to be more understanding, to be a better listener, and to respect those who in this sort of position because although they may not be able to express it in the same way, they are just as smart and capable as anyone else.
The many “Englishes” that Tan writes and speaks with allow her to communicate to a wider audience. It includes more than just those that can speak “proper” English. By writing the way she does, Amy can be understood by people like her mother, people who can completely understand concepts and stories but have a hard time when they are in English. Amy, unlike those in her past, wants to bring people together with her language and stop dividing people by their levels of coherence. No longer will she let her mother feel inadequate or left out.
Although it is my first language, I can somewhat relate with Amy Tan’s described levels of “Englishes”. I can see how I shift my word choice and pressure on grammar depending on my environment. When I am with my friends, I use terms and speak more loosely than I would in more professional scenarios. For the most part, though, I believe I speak the same “English” wherever I am. I do, however, see what Amy is referring to when she writes about the many “Englishes” she speaks.
Emily Weiss
03.23.2016