Mother Tongue by Amy Tan Summary

In her essay Mother Tongue, Amy Tan reflects on her relationship with the English language, especially the different “Englishes” she uses in her life. She starts by stating that she is not an expert on English or literature, but rather, a writer who deeply loves language. Language, she explains, is a powerful tool that evokes emotions, creates images, and expresses complex ideas.

Tan shares her realization of using different variations of English depending on her audience. She recalls a public talk she gave where her language was academic and sophisticated, filled with complex grammar. However, she noticed how unnatural this felt when she realized her mother was in the audience.

The English Tan uses with her mother is very different, much simpler, and more direct. This “family talk” is more intimate, and her husband has also adopted it over the years.

Tan provides a glimpse into her mother’s English, which many would label as “broken” or “fractured.” She recounts a conversation her mother had about a political figure from Shanghai, and although her mother’s sentences may seem grammatically incorrect to others, they are vivid and meaningful to Tan. She expresses discomfort with describing her mother’s English as “broken” because it implies that it is damaged or incomplete.

Growing up, Tan was often ashamed of her mother’s English because she believed it reflected her mother’s intelligence. She noticed how others treated her mother dismissively in public because of her language,

which reinforced this perception. Tan even had to impersonate her mother on phone calls to handle matters that required “perfect” English.

Tan also discusses how her mother’s English may have limited her own possibilities, particularly in school. While her math scores were excellent, her English grades were average, leading people to assume her strengths lay in math

and science. She suggests that the language spoken at home, especially in immigrant families, can influence children’s language development and affect their performance on standardized tests.

Reflecting on why there are fewer Asian Americans in literature and creative writing, Tan connects this to the broader issue of how language proficiency influences career paths. She suggests that many Asian American students, like her, may be steered away from writing and toward math and science due to perceptions about their English abilities.

In the end, Tan explains that her rebellious nature drove her to challenge these assumptions. Despite initially studying pre-med and being told that writing was her weakest skill, she pursued writing and eventually found success as a fiction writer.

Mother Tongue by Amy Tan Analysis

Amy Tan’s Mother Tongue reflects on the complexity of language, identity, and perception, focusing on how language shapes experiences and relationships, particularly within immigrant families. The essay explores several key themes,

such as the influence of language on personal identity, cultural pride, and the discrimination faced by non-native English speakers.

One of the central points in Mother Tongue is the tension between different forms of English. Tan describes how she uses various “Englishes” in her daily life, ranging from the formal, academic English of her professional work to the more intimate,

non-standard English she speaks with her mother. This fluidity highlights the richness of bilingual or multilingual experiences, but it also exposes societal biases toward non-standard English. Tan acknowledges how her mother’s

“broken” or “limited” English might be seen by others as an indication of limited intellect or understanding. However, Tan asserts that her mother’s command of English, while non-standard, is vivid and deeply expressive, reflecting complex ideas, experiences, and cultural nuances.

Through these reflections, Tan challenges the negative connotations often associated with non-native forms of English. Her discomfort with terms like “broken” or “limited” English speaks to a larger issue of how society often judges people based on how they speak, equating language proficiency with intelligence or worth. This perception is particularly harmful for immigrants, as illustrated by 4

the examples of her mother being mistreated in public spaces, such as at department stores and hospitals, due to her perceived language deficiency. Tan recognizes that these experiences of linguistic discrimination can limit opportunities and shape one’s sense of self-worth.

Another key theme in the essay is the idea of linguistic intimacy. Tan describes the version of English she shares with her mother as a “language of intimacy,” distinct from the formal, polished English she uses elsewhere. This intimate language, while less polished, holds emotional significance, reflecting the closeness of

family relationships and cultural bonds. Tan’s dual use of language illustrates how linguistic diversity within a person’s own life can reflect different aspects of their identity and heritage. Her connection to her mother’s English is not merely functional but deeply personal and tied to her cultural roots.

Tan also addresses how her mother’s English affected her own development, both personally and academically. Growing up, she was often embarrassed by her mother’s English, internalizing society’s judgments about non-standard English. This affected her perception of her mother and even her academic self-confidence, particularly in English. Tan reveals that while she excelled in math and

science, her performance in English lagged. She suggests that the kind of English spoken in her home may have contributed to this, as standardized English tests often rely on culturally specific interpretations of language that might not resonate with someone who grew up hearing and speaking a different form of English.

Despite these challenges, Tan defies societal expectations by pursuing a career in writing. Her decision to become a writer, despite initially being encouraged toward math and science, reflects her rebellious nature and desire to push back against stereotypes about Asian Americans. Tan’s journey from self-doubt in her English abilities to becoming a successful author highlights the transformative power of language and the importance of embracing one’s linguistic and cultural background.

The essay is also a critique of the broader educational and societal systems that steer immigrant children away from fields like writing, based on assumptions about their linguistic abilities. Tan notes that many Asian American students excel in math and science but struggle with English, and she suggests that this might

be partly due to the language they speak at home. By sharing her own experience of overcoming these challenges, Tan advocates for a more inclusive view of language in education—one that recognizes and values linguistic diversity rather than penalizing it.

In conclusion, Amy Tan’s Mother Tongue is a powerful reflection on language, identity, and the immigrant experience. Tan reveals how societal judgments about language can shape one’s self-perception and opportunities but also emphasizes the richness and complexity of non-standard English. By sharing her own story, Tan encourages readers to question the biases they hold about language and to appreciate the diverse forms of communication that exist in immigrant families. Ultimately, Tan’s essay celebrates the ways in which language can be both a tool of oppression and a source of empowerment, depending on how it is perceived and used.