Amy Tan is a writer whose family migrated to California from China in the late 1940’s. Being raised in a house with immigrant parents whose english was not their first language, made a noticeable  imprint in her life. In her short writing, “Mother Tongue”, Tan describes the different “Englishes” she has been exposed to. She speaks of the english used at home as “broken” or “fractured” (77) english, but comes to realize that those terms are not the best way to describe the language spoken at home. She argues the english used between her mother and her is just “simple”(80) english. The fact that her mother doesn’t fully construct her sentences, doesn’t mean she lacks knowledge. In fact, Tan’s mother is a successful business woman, who understands everything but its not capable of deliberately express herself in a “proper” American English, but in a Chinese English.  The title “Mother Tongue” refers to not only her mothers “simple” english that is understood clearly within her household, but she also refers to mother tongue as to each individuals personal use of language. Each person lives life differently, as well as uses language differently. We all have our own habits and lifestyles and sometimes use some phrases that won’t be  understood outside of the family nucleus. Giving importance to the tone and languages used in different scenarios, Tan describes her relationship through language with her mother. The purpose is to make this fact stand out. Language is used to communicate, but there’s not only one proper form of communication. Being raised in a family whose english was the second language, Tan notices where her strengths and weakness in education were. She mentioned not having any trouble with math and science due to these subjects being universal, unlike english, always being her weakness. Amy Tan wants to make her audience such as immigrants and Americans and her mother (since her goal was to allow her mother read her book and understand it), aware that no matter how “broken” a language can be spoken, as long as its understood, it should not be considered “broken”.  She argues that there should be no limitations or discrimination for those who speak “simple” english. Tan speaks of the “simple” english spoken at home being helpful within her carrier. As a writer Tan says, she wants to bring a different approach. She uses her mother and the language they speak amongst each other to “capture her mothers intent, her passion, her imagery, the rhythms if her speech and of her thoughts.” (80)

My experience with english is similar to Amy Tan’s experience, except i learned the language when i was 10 years old while she was born in California. I definitely speak better than my parents “simple” english, but they can still defend themselves in a conversation. There are definitely a few different “englishes” I use. At home i mostly speak english with my siblings, which ends up being a mixture of english and spanish, something i would never do outside my house. At work i use very proper english, even though my accent won’t allow me to pronounce every word correctly, and with friends its a more informal language.