Amy Tan's Language In The Immigrant Family

As Zentella has studied within these three families, she finds an assortment of variation, even in individuals that come from the same family. The author argues that children coming from similar backstories range differently in their expertise in the language of their immigrated parents and the standard language of their residency. She concludes that because each family’s outlook on learning a second language and each individual’s preference challenges one another, one’s ability to learn a second language varies as well; there is no solid explanation as to why some people from the same background are more advanced in Spanish rather than English, and vice versa. Most people would not have taken into account of all the different contributions that this author describes, including gender, social preference, location, and personal beliefs. The common person would assume that acquiring a second language is possible for these families because they are surrounded by it, and that they would be able to maintain both their primary and secondary language. However, the author does analyze the contrasting opinion through observing the differences found in her study. She finds that the development of each person greatly varies to where each has different learning abilities and preferences. Where they live, whom they are in contact with, gender, and even their own personal behavior affects their unique growth. Since all have varying opinions, their decisions and values are placed accordingly to their own desire; in conclusion, these are all major factors in how people’s language skills

Nature and nurture both play a significant role in language development. Language development refers to how children understand, organise, speak and use words in order to communicate at an effective, age-appropriate level (Karen Kearns, 2013, P.105). For centuries, theorists have been debating the roles of nature versus nurture. Although, each child’s language will develop at their own pace and there will be many individual differences based on culture, ethnicity, health and ability. As well as physical, social, emotional and cognitive development in which will contribute to a child’s language development.

In her article, she mentions that Sociologists and linguists will probably tell that a person’s developing language skills are more influenced by peers (Amy Tan). However, Amy Tan thinks family condition is very foremost for a person’s spoken English. Most of the time, people always can not find the distinction when they get used to a thing. If people do one thing for a long time, they always think it perfectly normal. In addition, the language spoken by the family plays a large role in shaping a language of the child. Her mother’s English still limits people’s perception of her. Furthermore, her mother’s English almost had an effect on limiting her possibility as well.

Before the group discussion, I believed that the statement “And I use them all—all the Englishes I grew up with” (Tan, 1), was significant because it shows the reader how important the dialect of Amy Tan’s mother is to her. Additionally, this statement brings to light her diverse background in a variety of English dialects; making her opinion seem more valid. It also shows the reader how the dialects we listen to everyday change the way we think and speak in the future. This belief is proven by Tan when she says, “But I do think that the language spoken in the family, especially in immigrant families which are more insular, plays a role in shaping the language of the child (P4). On top of that, my personal experiences prove Tan’s point; in

When we, as people, speak, we convey our beliefs, morals, and inner thoughts through language; therefore, the way in which we do so reveals a lot about our personalities and lives. After reading the assigned essays, it is clear to me that language plays a vital role in my life and helps to reveal who I am as a person. The language used by myself and the people I surround myself with molds my speaks patterns and life as a whole everyday. Amy Tan, author of “Mother Tongue,” explains better than I ever could how the language that we use and are exposed to changes the type of people we are in general. In one excerpt from the essay, she stated that the language she grew up with molded her beliefs and overall perspective on the world. One of the

In Amy Tan’s famous speech Mother Tongue, mainly describes the struggle about her and her mother as a foreign immigrant in America. She points out the differences and conflicts between these two different cultures throughout the speech. She essentially informs the reader that lives in the states can be tough if you can't speak well English. However, the story mainly focuses on the prejudices of Amy Tan and her mother. In fact, the author's mother had been discriminated throughout her whole life because of the reason that she is unable to communicate with the common tongue; but instead, she speaks "limited" or known as the "broken" English. Tan also describes the struggle of growing up with her mother’s “limited English”; but eventually embrace the beauty of it. Overall, the author’s main purpose is to show the audience that the standard English is not the only proper way to communicate with the others; though, the “broken English” possess the same function, which is expressing our thoughts and emotion

The line “ I began to write stories using all the Englishes I grew up with” is a very powerful line in the essay ( Tan 337). Tan’s personal struggle of having a mother who knows English as a second language creates issues for her throughout her life, but this line shows that she has learned to get past this hardship. Tan learning to embrace this side of her life lets other people in the same situation know that it shouldn’t be a bad thing. The whole line wraps up the essay in a neat little bow by playing on the Pathos of Tan’s life and drawing the essay to a nice conclusion thus showing how one little phrase can make a piece of literature great.

Our world starts forming when we are babies, adapting to our upbringing. Amy Tan “Mother Tongue” “But to me, my mother’s English is perfectly clear, perfectly natural.” (232) As she talks about her friends, some understanding very little of her mom’s “broken English” and some, none at all. That’s the way she grew up, and that’s the way she learn how to speak. “That was the language that helped shape the way I saw things, expressed things made sense of the world” (234) She later expresses how it was also difficult for her, she was embarrass of her mom because the way she spoke. So Amy would put her game face on and speak perfectly good English when having to translate or act as her mom. She had that invariably never-ending desire to feel accepted

We believe that everything in our life is usually fine with no problems but that are times that we tend to realize the difference in our life, “But, I do think that the language spoken in the family, especially in immigrant families which are more insular, plays a large role in shaping the language of the child” (Tan P.199). The family plays a major language modeling role onto the child. The author contradicts sociologists and linguists on the influenced by peers of developing language skills. She believes it is through family that affects how the child interprets language. In addition, the quality of speech is at home. Steele’s quote conveys to readers that life observations are based on a particular person’s perspective. Tan provides ample evidence on sociologists and linguists research on developing language skills, their research points out that children’s language skills are influenced by classmates. Yet Tan’s belief is that immigrant families have greater impact on the child due to their grasp of the english language. Ultimately, it is Tan’s personal experience that lead to her idea on with developing language skills compare to the sociologist and linguist whether than by family. Tan indicates that her life experiences with language developing skills are influenced by

No matter where one goes, they will most likely encounter someone who may not be fluent in English. We try to understand, but sometimes, we forget to take them seriously. But could their words have a deeper meaning to them? Amy Tan is a Chinese American writer, whose works delve into mother-daughter relationships. She was raised in California, by immigrant parents from China. This text is based on her experiences with her mother, and how Amy is impacted by her mother's English. In “Mother Tongue”, by Amy Tan, the author targets anyone who has experienced simple English, by using anecdotes and pathos to demonstrate the influence that immigrant parents have on their kids. Ultimately, Tan aims to convey that culture can have an impact on how one learns and uses language.

Learning language is a great advantage in the society. The language plays a big major role, especially in immigrant families. In “Mother tongue” Amy Tan shows many ways how language was affected in her life. Amy Tan very careful describes language barrier identifying throughout her mother’s language experience and skills. Tan discuss that many bilingual people with very low language, knowing spoke English imperfectly.

America is a melting pot of people from various places and cultures. As they start their lives in America they become part of the fabric of the country. What they can and cannot do in terms of language barriers is not a limitation but just one more hurdle in the race toward their success. As a person of Jamaican descent the way I talk could be a reason to not try and educate myself. However Amy Tan’s Mother Tongue shows that language barriers exist but are not necessarily a sign of failure. In addition, the cultural intricacies that make people unique can be a help in defining one’s place in their respective fields and creating a unique brand that helps others from similar backgrounds relate and those from different backgrounds have a better

In a bilingual home the child is usually the first person to learn English in the home. This usually leads to the parents using the child as a translator or in Amy Tan’s story her mother uses her because of the fact that Amy can speak better English than her, “My mother has long realized the limitations of her English. When I was fifteen, she used to have me call people on the phone and pretend I was she.”(Tan 656). During this time the parents learn their own “broken” form of English that they can use to communicate with either their children or other people. This leads to the other form of English that Amy Tan

Language is one of the most significant developments of humans. It is one of the few means of communications which enclose a large number of beliefs, values, and methods to see the world in different perspectives. Peoples native languages are thought to be in danger when they do not speak their mother tongue in foreign countries. A mother tongue refers to a child’s first language and can be learned since birth. This mother language cannot be used often in foreign countries. As a result, significant numbers of languages are ceasing to pass from one generation to another. Cultural diversity and languages are essential assets of any nation, representing their identity across the world. The mother tongue is the language of the heart, of the emotions, of the warmth of the home, of the first important relationships. A "first" language that does not hinder subsequent learning but, on the contrary, opens to new languages. Thus, it is very important to conserve languages especially in foreign countries. This paper will explore how non-native languages in foreign countries are being threatened, why this is problematic, and why it’s crucially important to preserve such languages.

As suggested by (Kearns, 2010) cultural beliefs and values have an immense impact on the way people conduct themselves. With consideration, each cultural or community will present a difference in meaning and practices. With those differences comes an opportunity to understand and interpret others’ perspective. Language like many other developmental processes occurs in a social-cultural context. Although language development is a characteristically described as a natural process. The rate in which kids acquire it is on a continuum and is dependent upon the child. The numerous ways in which the socio-cultural factor and language entwine incorporates the use of language for a specific end goal which is to express needs,