Language Development Within the Context of Amy Tans Mother Tongue - Essay Example

Reader-Response Analysis Perhaps the most challenging element of acculturation is the process of second language acquisition. The nature of language, both spoken and written, is such that individuals after many years may only have a cursory understanding of the intricacies of the process. In ‘Mother Tongue’ Amy Tan considers the intricacy of the English language in both her own use and that of her mother’s. Within this context of investigation, Tan places a considerable emphasis on the sociolinguistic implications of her mother’s ‘broken’ English language use. Tan demonstrates that in many situations this use shaped the way she was treated and perceived in the world, and had a tremendous developmental impact on Tan herself. While ultimately Tan overcomes her linguistic difficulties and produces a work of literature that challenges pervading notions of ‘proper’ English, I continue to experience similar linguistic difficulties in my own life. This essay considers my own language development as a Chinese immigrant in the United States as similar to the challenges Amy Tan and her mother faced in linguistic acculturation. When examining my personal experience with second language acquisition within the context of Amy Tan’s ‘Mother Tongue’ one of the predominant connections that exists is the influence of my family on my own linguistic development. The influence of Tan’s mother on her own development becomes one of the predominant themes of the text. Tan writes, “Sociologists and linguists probably will tell you that a persons developing language skills are more influenced by peers. 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). Within the context of Tan’s text this influence is demonstrated as Tan has difficulty accepting the vagaries of language, as her mother’s influence was such that she grew accustomed to odd or eccentric language formations. When considered within the context of my own life, I recognize that I experienced many of the same challenges in language development. Similar to Amy Tan, my family immigrated to the United States from an Asian region. While Tan describes her difficulty in accepting the logical explanations for language on American tests, my difficulty came in determining subtle elements of language and the proper context to use them from. Similar to Tan’s mother, my parents both speak ‘broken’ forms of English. Learning English in the classroom greatly contributed to my development, but I still found myself questioning confused as to subtle elements of language as my parents spoken English was oftentimes influenced by grammatical structures of Chinese language. In these regards, it was a major challenge to unravel these intricacies to speak ‘proper’ English. Another major experiential element that I shared with Amy Tan’s story is the nature of language as empowering. Within the context of Tan’s text the power of language emerges in a number of specific contexts. Tan demonstrates that she was required to speak for her mother in a variety of situations because her mother oftentimes felt hindered by her language. In reflecting on her mother’s language challenges, Tan states, “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). These challenges are witnessed as Tan’s mother faces considerable difficulty in attaining a copy of a CAT scan and only after speaking to Tan does she receive the proper treatment. In my own experience, I have come to recognize that while language communicates specific ideas, it also communicates cultural and socioeconomic status. In these regards, like Amy Tan, I have come to understand that language is power. Oftentimes when dealing with sensitive subject matter or instances where there is the potential for being taken advantage of the responsibility for negotiating the specific situation has become my responsibility. For instance, my parents recently asked me to speak to the Cable Company after they failed to show up for their appointment. While living in China I recognized that language was essential for interacting in society, moving and struggling in the United States has heightened my understanding of the culturally loaded nature of language. In these regards, individuals will treat others different based on their spoken proficiency in the dominant language, not merely the words they communicate. Another prominent element of language acquisition that I recognized within Amy Tan’s ‘Mother Tongue’ was the challenge of learning a specific type of language within a dominant paradigm. Throughout Tan’s text there is a cyclical consideration of the dominant nature of language. Perhaps the most pervasive theme is the nature of oppression that Tan’s mother faces as a direct result of her language difficulties. As demonstrated earlier this is demonstrated with her challenges in dealing with the stockbroker and later with the individuals at the hospital over the CAT scan. Throughout the text there is a sort of battle between an understanding of a ‘proper’ way of speaking English and a more organic form of communication. At the text’s conclusion, Tan states, “Apart from what any critic had to say about my writing, I knew I had succeeded where it counted when my mother finished reading my book and gave me her verdict: "So easy to read" (Tan). In this situation, Tan discusses how she first attempts to structure elaborate sentences with fancy sounding terminology. Later, she abandons this form of writing for the purer form of expression her mother embraces. The major implication in these regards is that language is not simply an element of right or wrong, but is more properly linked to the nature of effective communication. Within my own life and experience in language acquisition this has become a very important element in learning to read and write. Upon moving to the United States I recognized that I had a notable language deficiency. As a means of counteracting this deficiency I first set about attempting to learn all the intricacies grammar and linguistic structure. I had believed that in grasping these elements I would then succeed in grasping English. As I gradually learned grammatical aspects of English, I came to recognize that there are many different aspects of language outside of the simple grammatical and structure parts of language. Instead, my experience in language acquisition has demonstrated to me that there are a variety of cultural and communicative parts of language. In Tan’s text she ultimately demonstrates that while there are dominant paradigms of language that are taught in schools and believed to be the ‘proper’ forms of speaking, ultimately the ability to communicate in a real and organic way is the ultimate means of articulate communication. In conclusion, this essay has considered my own language development within the context of Amy Tan’s ‘Mother Tongue’. Within this context of understanding, a number of prominent connections have been developed. My experience as a Chinese immigrant within the United States creates many parallels with Amy Tan’s experience. Similar to Tan, the essay demonstrates that I experienced many influences from my family in terms of language and cultural acquisition. I also experienced the nature of language as power. Oftentimes, individuals are judged not simply on what they communicate, but the sociocultural elements their means of communication indicates. Finally, I share with the story a recognition that true communication is not simply ‘proper’ spoken English, but real and organic communication. References Tan, Amy. Mother’s Tongue. Read More