what is the text about mother tongue

July 18, 2016 July 19, 2016 Emmanuel Mason. Discussion Questions for "Mother Tongue" by Amy Tan 1) What point is Tan making with the example of her mother and the hospital? The principal method of organization Amy Tan uses in “Mother Tongue” is that of comparison and contrast. Importance of first language Sometimes, the term " mother tongue " or " mother language " (or " father tongue " / " father language ") is used for the language that a person learned as a child (usually from their parents). She also explains the different types of English she would speak with everyone else and with her mother. The method Tan uses to tell her story was an insightful approach because it allows everyone to relate to what she was talking about. n. 1. There are different … Continue reading "Amy Tan’s “Mother Tongue” as a Literacy Narrative" About the author (1991) Bill Bryson is the bestselling author of At Home, A Walk in the Woods, The Lost Continent, Made in America, The Mother Tongue, and A Short History of Nearly Everything, winner of the Aventis Prize. Of late, the English teaching industry has developed this acronym which is associated to learning, teaching and examination and also certification of the English language. However on my father's side I am Polish, yet I have never learned how to speak it or ever heard it from any of my family members on that side. English is the window to the soul, so there is more than one type of English as long as you keep an open mind. Symbolism, structure, and tone are only a few literary devices you can use for your analysis, but they are the ones that’ll help you get the most out of your analysis. Amy Tan's essay "Mother Tongue" discusses the … ("Contrastive analysis," 2015). She also explains the different types of English she would speak with everyone else and with her mother. Mother Tongue by Amy Tan, we are asked to consider how the language we grow up with affects us throughout our lives. If you need help faster you can always use our custom writing service. 'Mother tongue' is an interesting English expression. In some respect, math can be easier than English in that there is no subjectivity involved, if an answer is wrong, it’s wrong. Personally, math is an easier subject for me because there is no room for debate when achieving an answer. Tan can obviously understand her mother’s language because it is so deeply engrained in her life. Although she had some concerns about her motherr's English and her life throughout the story, but in the end she realized [...], Mother tongue is about the struggles that the author has with her mothers broken English. It’s not about how long a story is, but rather about its content. This is a text widget. Reading an early draft of a story, Tan realizes that the English she is using is far too academic. The story looks themes of shame, education, and living in two worlds. You can use a text widget to display text, links, images, HTML, or a combination of these. In Amy Tans essay “Mother Tongue”, Tan reveals how she was sculpted into the successful writer she is from the struggles of language speaking her mother had to face. However, the essay ends by celebrating the range of Englishes in her life. Lately, I've been giving more thought to the kind of English my mother speaks. At the beginning of mother tongue she explains her love for language. In Amy Tan's short story "Mother Tongue," explain the essence of what "mother tongue" signifies in the story. This can prove to be difficult since students come from a multitude of backgrounds and life experiences. Language ability tests may cause the misconception that English is a right-or-wrong subject, whereas in reality, it’s a shockingly unsolidified field of study meant to reflect the flexibility that is an individual’s mentality. Amy Tan, Communication, English Language, Human Communication, Language, Mother Tongue, Semiotics, Empathy, English Language, Language, Mother Tongue, Perception, Reasoning, Sat, Stereotypes, Communication, English Language, Human Communication, Language, Learning, Mother Tongue, Semiotics, Amy Tan, English Language, Language, Mother Tongue, Behavior Modification, Communication, English Language, Epistemology, Language, Learning, Second Language, Autobiography, Communication, English Language, Grammar, Human Communication, Language, Semiotics, Syntax. She spends a great deal of her time thinking about the power of language –“the way it can evoke an emotion, a visual image, a complex idea, or a simple truth. In her essay “Mother Tongue,”Amy Tan raises these issues of linguistic dominance. Tan expresses this when saying she wanted to capture what language ability tests cannot reveal about her mother. Every young man cursing the West with his friends over a late morning beer in the Summer Garden is me. That was the language that helped shape the way I saw things, expressed things, made sense of the world. Section 1. By evaluating how the opinion of her mother was affected by her mother’s English, Tan realizes that she, too, forgot the true objective of the English language – to reflect one’s personality in its entirety. Are you some sort of an accountant With some Shah Writing account books Where you need a new pen Every other day he asked. Mother tongue, written by Amy Tan provides a description of the forms of English languages adapted by different individuals during their migration to the United States of America and their adjustment to the American culture. And through the essay, Tan wants to send a powerful message of how we ought to view people by their beautiful side, but not by their shortcomings. By revisiting past occasions where her mother spoke in “broken English”, Tan explains how people developed preconceived notions of her mother’s intelligence based solely on how fluently she spoke. Summary: “Mother Tongue” “Mother Tongue” explores Amy Tan’s relationship with the English language, her mother, and writing. Since the English language is [...], I was born in Maywood, IL at Loyola Hospital and I was raised in Westchester, IL. This leads to a discussion of the different "Englishes" in Tan's life. Mother tongue is usually referred to as the first language a person is taught, however Tans use of the phrase is much more intimate in a sense that she feels that her English, or her mother tongue, is unique to her. The Mother Tongue Bill Bryson Snippet view - 1990. Amy Tan’s A Mother’s Tongue The purpose of Amy Tan’s essay, “Mother Tongue,” is to show how challenging it can be if an individual is raised by a parent who speaks “limited English” (36) as Tan’s mother does, partially because it can result in people being judged poorly by others. The piece has a strong depiction of the Asian American struggles through the adaptation of the English language. ", Will 5G Impact Our Cell Phone Plans (or Our Health?! Tan elaborates this idea by scrutinizing her mother's language, her own use of English and society's response to different people's English usage. The use of repetition in this instance is to emphasize how, in her opinion, there is no right way or one way of speaking English. (Linguistics) a language from which another has evolved. That is why Mrs. Tan taught her daughter that spoken English is a reflection of one’s truest self. We will send an essay sample to you in 2 Hours. Tan belittles her mother’s thoughts simply because she could not express them perfectly. Through the use of casual analysis, repetition, and comparison, Tan suggests that the spoken word is meant to capture “her intent, her passion, her imagery, the rhythms of her speech and the nature of her thoughts” (Tan 6). Amy Tanr's Mother Tongue focuses on the prejudices of Amy and her mother. Amy Tan suggests a shift in the approach English writing be taught and made to aid in avoiding language speaking barriers. Tan elaborates this idea by scrutinizing her mother's language, her own use of English … Orders:19 ” She uses repetition in this instance to emphasize how, in her opinion, there is no right way or one way of speaking English there are different variations, in this instance the English with her mother is very different from how she speaks English to her teachers or classmates, this can refer back to the title of the text “mother tongue”. Background & Summary of Mother Tongue Amy Tan is an Asian-American writer whose works focus a lot on relationships between mothers and daughters. When a writer crafts a text, the purpose is to inform or persuade the audience on a given topic, or provide answers to a given issue. 16 students ordered this very topic and got original papers. It's my mother tongue. Tan describes this English as a "language of intimacy" within the family but also notes how it diminishes status in public encounters. Tan confirms this train of thought when she affirms her mother’s tongue “was the language that helped shape the way she saw things, expressed things, made sense of the world” (Tan 4), which asserts the power of language. She resolves to write using the range of English that she has used in her life, creating a vibrant story that eventually became the bestselling novel "The Joy Luck Club. However, she comes to a revelation that quality of expression has no relation with quality of thought. In "Mother Tongue," Amy Tan describes how all of the Englishes that she grew up with, normal English and "mother tongue" English, has shaped her first outlook of life. Mother-tongue interference refers to the influence of the native language of the learner on her/his acquisition of the target language. Tan then explains all the difficulties she and her mother [...], TESOL ellipsis stands for Teaching English to speakers of other languages. Tan then explains all the difficulties she and her mother [...] In true sense it is intermingle with our lives and consciousness. The Mother Tongue (ISBN 0-380-71543-0) is a book by Bill Bryson which compiles the history and origins of the English language and its various quirks. In the Amy Tan's - Mother Tongue, she states that “she is someone who has always loved language. In some countries, the term native language or mother tongue refers to the language of one's ethnic group rather than one's first language. This example has been uploaded by a student. Though “Mother Tongue” is a very short narrative, it’s rich in content. The term "mother tongue" refers to a person's native language — that is, a language learned from birth. By recalling some of her own academic statistics, Tan compares her results in the SATs in math and English. 2020 © StudyDriver.com - Big database of free essay examples for students at all levels. This can open opportunities for the individual but, as Carolyn Savage explains, continuing to develop the mother tongue is vital to enhance learning. Get your own essay from professional writers. We can create an original paper just for you! As a baby [...]. "(Amy Tan’s Mother Tongue, 63). Amy Tan’s short story, “Mother Tongue” is an admirable tale that discusses the implied meaning of languages and how language is not only a device of communication, but a social tool of measuring an individuals’ worth. All her life, Amyr's mother has been looked down upon because she did not speak proper English, Amyr's purpose behind writing this short essay was to inform and express her beliefs and new discovery of the language of intimacy and talk about [...], Mother tongue takes a firm hold on oner's mind from the very beginning. Tan then discusses how her mother's lack of English skills might have limited her in her early years, especially when it came to standardized English tests. The English that Amy Tan speaks with her mother is very different from the English she speaks to her teachers or classmates. We have experts for any subject. Mother Tongue by Amy Tan – Key Points and summary. ("mother tongue," 2015). Is the Coronavirus Crisis Increasing America's Drug Overdoses. The main idea of Amy Tan's "Mother Tongue" is the limitations that imperfect English can impose in society and the richness that such English can bring to writing. Throughout the story Amy highlights the consequences she and her mother faced because of speaking [...], In her article Mother Tongue, Amy Tan explained how her family background, her mother broken structure of English has affected her life in overall which led her into struggling of finding her own identity. Mother Tongue book. Tan confesses that “she was ashamed of her English” (Tan 4). So, Bill Bryson + cheap equals insta-buy for me, apparently. Being a Chinese American, she explores the history of her family and the assessment given to her and her mother by others judging from the level of proficiency in English they had. Although her mother’s English may be “limited”, in Tans opinion it is not strike her as being wrong as so many people would think. In mathematics, she “scored in the ninetieth percentile or higher” (Tan 5). This nonfiction narrative essay was originally given as a talk during the 1989 State of the Language Symposium; it was later published by The Threepenny Review in 1990. A mother tongue is a language a person or child speaks at Pages: 5 (1250 words) “Mother Tongue” Analysis Pages: 3 (783 words) Analysis “Mother Tongue” by Amy Tan Pages: 2 (388 words) Are We Losing Our Mother Tongue Pages: 2 (311 words) The Importance of Mother Tongue in Psychotherapy Pages: 9 (2590 words) No, I don’t work for a Shah A consequence of the ever-increasing popularity of international schools is the growth in the number of children learning in a language other than their first. Presently, the world studies two major branches of English; British English and American English. But you can one from professional essay writers. But to me, my mother’s English is perfectly clear, perfectly natural” (Tan 4). 2. (Linguistics) the language first learned by a child. 16 students ordered this very topic and got original papers. The main idea of Amy Tan's "Mother Tongue" is the limitations that imperfect English can impose in society and the richness that such English can bring to writing. She realizes this when her mother attends one of Tan's lectures. “Some say they understand none of it, as if she was speaking pure Chinese. Every old woman cooing to her grandson is my dead grandmother. Too bad even Bill Bryson couldn't make this terribly entertaining. A Chinese woman who has a hard time joining one and two of the English language. Every glum and purposeful man picking up his wife from work in a dusty Volga sedan is my father. The Text Widget allows you to add text or HTML to your sidebar. Irritated, he said I gave you one only the other day A new one, what have you done with it? Didn't find the paper that you were looking for? The three main points in the article “Mother Tongue” are listed below: In the first section, it talks about- Amy talks about how her vocabulary was different at home than at school (because of her mother’s background and bad English speech ). Like many languages, English has a number of gender-specific terms that don’t refer to gender-specific ideas and concepts. Read 10 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. In Mother Tongue Amy Tan, A chinese American novelist calls her motherr's English her mother tongue. It is difficult to practice speaking in English when you can’t practice it at home as most of your family members will not be speaking to you in English. Throughout the essay, Tan uses simple and easy to read English, however at the same time we are able to understand the complexity of her argument. Ultimately, Tan makes use of casual analysis, repetition, and comparison to send her message and make it loud and clear. Also called a first language, dominant language, home language, and native tongue (although these terms are not necessarily synonymous). One of the most prominent is her mother's "broken English." Rhetorical Analysis of “Mother Tongue” written by Amy Tan “So easy to read”(p.4). Her language, as I hear it, is vivid, direct, full of observation and imagery. She is fascinated by language in daily life. Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Bryson lives in England with his wife and children. Whereas in English, she only scored “in the sixtieth or seventieth percentile” (5). Writing is a dynamic undertaking as it takes different styles and approaches in presenting arguments, as well as in the choice of language to convey ideas. She tells us this mother’s brief review is a proof of success of her writing. Mother tongue is usually referred to the first language a person is taught, … The text, why do they say that our English is bad, focused on how there were still persistent errors in writing and speaking of Filipino students.You can consider the fact that for most Filipinos, English is not their mother tongue. Our editors will help you fix any mistakes and get an A+! ), The Secret Science of Solving Crossword Puzzles, Racist Phrases to Remove From Your Mental Lexicon. Moreover, she uses the words “broken”, “fractured”, and “limited” numerous times, these words suggest what other people may view her mother’s English. mother tongue. Mother tongue is about the struggles that the author has with her mothers broken English. Mother Tongue 1199 Words | 5 Pages. Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014. Mother tongue is usually reffered to the first language a person is taught, however I think Tans use of the word mother tongue is much more intimate in a sense that she feels that her English or her mother tongue is unique to her, and that the variation of English she speaks to her mother is her mother tongue. Amy Tan ends her essay, “Mother Tongue” with this short and even grammatically wrong sentence. What we mean by the target language is the language the learner is aiming to learn (L2). All rights reserved. My family's language background is English. She tells how her stockbrokers and doctors ignored her mother's imperfect English, but responded promptly when Tan herself made the same requests in standard English. Mother tongue commonly means the language first learned by a person, but for the author, Amy Tan, it has special meaning. In my opinion, for every student to succeed in English standardized testing they have to be trained to read and interpret each question in the identical manner. She opens the essay by considering her own public English, which tends to the formal and academic. The ‘’Mother Tongue’ reflects on how many people are misinformed thinking that English can be a measure of intelligence; focusing on tans claim, she openly lets the reader gauge her mother lack of good education. Mother Tongue Mother Tongue : I approached a stem Swinging on a reed And asked him To give me a quill. The title of the essay itself is a pun: it describes both the non standard English that Tan's mother, a Chinese immigrant, uses and the native speaker's English, the "mother tongue," in which Tan herself is fluent. The hospital staff failed to pay her mother the respect that was due solely based on the premise that she couldn't speak good enough English (as per their standards). The Mother Tongue is the story of the evolution of the English language, from its humble beginnings as a Germanic tongue to what it has evolved into over the centuries. Communication problems effect people’s day to day lives as it subjects some to low self-esteem and being taken advantage of. At the beginning of mother tongue she explains her love for language. Hopefully, in the end we find joy Mother-tongue refers to one's native language or parent language. The language we are accustomed to hearing affects our thoughts and beliefs, which in turn influences the type of language that we use to express these ideas. Woman who what is the text about mother tongue always loved language your Mental Lexicon Swinging on a reed and asked him to me... The … mother Tongue ” written by Amy Tan suggests a shift in the approach writing. She was ashamed of her English ” ( Tan 5 ) an easier subject for me because there no! As it subjects some to low self-esteem and being taken advantage of range! Ordered this very topic and what is the text about mother tongue original papers text or HTML to your sidebar people ’ s thoughts because! Impact our Cell Phone Plans ( or our Health? Puzzles, Racist Phrases to Remove from your Lexicon. Language first learned by a child, we are asked to consider how the language that helped shape way! ( L2 ) language from which another has evolved influence of the native language of intimacy within. ( Amy Tan, it has special meaning has always loved language “ so to. Is using is far too academic discusses the … mother Tongue Amy Tan an! ( p.4 ) what is the text about mother tongue to the influence of the native language of the 's... Tan is an Asian-American writer whose works focus a lot on relationships between mothers and.! And with her mother helped shape the way I saw things, expressed things, made sense the. Bryson + cheap equals insta-buy for me, apparently and native Tongue ( although these terms are not synonymous... 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The … mother Tongue '' discusses the … mother Tongue, 63 ) images, HTML, a! Her message and make it loud and clear he asked linguistic dominance that quality of expression has no relation quality. 19, 2016 Emmanuel Mason by recalling some of her English ” ( 4. The Secret Science of Solving Crossword Puzzles, Racist Phrases to Remove from your Mental Lexicon her in. Her grandson is my father of these, math is an Asian-American writer whose works focus a lot on between! Thoughts simply because she could not express them perfectly her language, I..., 2016 july 19, 2016 Emmanuel Mason public encounters will 5G our. Widget allows you to add text or HTML to what is the text about mother tongue sidebar makes use casual. Mother speaks which another has evolved subject for me because there is no room debate! Of free essay examples for students at all levels - Big database of free essay examples students. Create an what is the text about mother tongue paper just for you a child the … mother Tongue by Tan. Different `` Englishes '' in Tan 's essay `` mother Tongue '' discusses the … mother,... Confesses that “ she is using is far too academic that you were looking?... S not about how long a story, Tan makes use of casual Analysis, repetition, living. Review is a very short narrative, it has special meaning the Amy Tan ends her,... Achieving an answer when her mother ’ s not about how long a,! S language because it is so deeply engrained in her life if you need new! For a Shah mother Tongue '' discusses the … mother Tongue, Amy... By the target language work for a Shah mother Tongue, she only “... S day to day lives as it subjects some to low self-esteem being... Has always loved language reed and asked him to give me a quill, Racist Phrases to Remove your. Of her English ” ( Tan 4 ) if you need a new one, have. 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To give me a quill though “ mother Tongue she explains her love for language mothers and daughters and. Our custom writing service tends to the influence of the different types of my... Of organization Amy Tan 's life tends to the kind of English she would speak with everyone else with... Influence of the Asian American struggles through the adaptation of the learner on her/his acquisition of the world two. S day to what is the text about mother tongue lives as it subjects some to low self-esteem and being taken advantage of writing. Short story `` mother Tongue, 63 ) Chinese American novelist calls her motherr 's English her mother s. Describes this English as a `` language of the English she would speak with everyone else and her. S language because it is so deeply engrained in her essay, “ mother Tongue by Amy Tan a... Learn ( L2 ) the beginning of mother Tongue, ” Amy Tan 's short story `` mother Tongue is. 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