Mother Tongue Questions and Answers
Mother Tongue
Who is the intended audience for "Mother Tongue"?
The intended audience of Amy Tan's essay "Mother Tongue" is the people who criticize and judge Tan's mother's version of spoken English. Tan uses the essay to convince her audience that her mother's...
Mother Tongue
In the essay "Mother Tongue", what is the author's claim and who is the target audience?
Amy Tan claims that one’s use of language does not indicate their amount of knowledge or worth. She proves this claim by illustrating how knowledgeable and thoughtful her mother was despite not...
Mother Tongue
How were Tan's high school teachers' perceptions of her formed according to "Mother Tongue" paragraphs 15-16?
At one point in "Mother Tongue," Amy Tan wonders why it is that there aren't more Asian Americans represented in American literature and why there aren't more Asian Americans enrolled in creative...
Mother Tongue
What argument does Tan make about language and identity in "Mother Tongue" and what strategies does she use?
Tan is making the argument in "Mother Tongue" that she became a better writer when she began to use both the types of English she spoke to write books her mother could understand. Tan grew up...
Mother Tongue
What does "mother tongue" signify in Amy Tan's "Mother Tongue"?
In Amy Tan's "Mother Tongue," this term is a play on words. A person's "mother tongue" is usually considered to be their first language, but in this story, it refers to her "mother's tongue," or the...
Mother Tongue
How do stereotypes or bias in Amy Tan’s “Mother Tongue” affect our self-perception?
Stereotypes and biases in "Mother Tongue" affect self-perception by influencing how individuals are viewed based on language proficiency. Amy Tan illustrates how her mother's "broken" English leads...
Mother Tongue
What is the significance of the title "Mother Tongue"?
The title "Mother Tongue" for Amy Tan's essay has both denotative and connotative meaning. It suggests the intimate language that she shares with her mother while also more objectively observing the...
Mother Tongue
What does "different Englishes" mean in the context of "Mother Tongue"?
In "Mother Tongue," "different Englishes" refers to the various forms of English Amy Tan uses in different contexts. These include "proper English," which signifies her assimilation into American...
Mother Tongue
Why does Tan identify as a rebel in "Mother Tongue" and how does this influence her writing?
In describing herself as “rebellious by nature,” Amy Tan also calls herself “fortunate.” She is talking about the lack of coherence between her scores in the language area of the SAT and similar...
Mother Tongue
What examples from "Mother Tongue" show people, including Tan, disrespecting her mother, and what assumptions are...
In "Mother Tongue," Amy Tan describes how people, including herself, have disrespected her mother due to her "limited" English. As a child, Tan assumed her mother's imperfect English reflected...
Mother Tongue
What is the context, author's purpose, style, and tone in "Mother Tongue"?
“Context” refers to the larger frame of reference into which a text fits. It includes additional biographical information about the author, such as family composition, race, ethnicity, or gender....
Mother Tongue
How does Tan's title relate to her identity as a Chinese American, a daughter, and a writer?
Tan's title reflects her complex identity as a Chinese American, daughter, and writer by highlighting the difference between her polished English and her mother's "broken" English. Initially...
Mother Tongue
What is your response to Amy Tan's point about the value of different "Englishes" in "Mother Tongue"?
Amy Tan's "Mother Tongue" highlights the value of "different Englishes" by showcasing how language shapes identity and is context-dependent. Tan discusses "code-switching," where people adjust their...
Mother Tongue
What organizational pattern does Tan use in "Mother Tongue," and how does she control her tone?
Amy Tan uses a comparison and contrast organizational pattern in "Mother Tongue," juxtaposing formal English with her mother's informal, "broken" English. Additionally, she employs a problem-solution...
Mother Tongue
According to paragraphs 1-3 of "Mother Tongue", what is Amy Tan's primary identity?
The second paragraph of Amy Tan's "Mother Tongue" explicitly establishes her primary identity. She begins the second paragraph with the topic sentence "I am a writer." By that, she goes on to...
Mother Tongue
Why can parents' identities and personalities cause embarrassment or tension for young people, using examples from...
Filipino-Americans often feel embarrassed by their parents because of how they look, talk and act. The parents' behaviors are often not in line with the values that the children have learned from...
Mother Tongue
How can two or more authors support my claims in a four-page essay about Amy Tan's "Mother Tongue"?
To support claims in an essay about Amy Tan's "Mother Tongue," consider comparing her work to earlier essays on writing by George Eliot and George Orwell. Both authors, like Tan, criticize snobbery...
Mother Tongue
How do Tan's version of the American Dream in "Mother Tongue" and the one in Of Mice and Men compare and contrast?
Amy Tan's version of the American Dream in "Mother Tongue" parallels Lennie and George's in Of Mice and Men as both seek authenticity and acceptance. Tan expresses herself using her mother's "broken"...
Mother Tongue
How do others' perceptions of Tan's mother in "Mother Tongue" differ from Tan's own description?
In "Mother Tongue," Amy Tan's mother, despite her broken English, is highly competent, understanding complex topics and engaging in sophisticated conversations. However, others perceive her as less...