Amy Tan’s ‘Mother Tongue’: A Journey Through Language, Identity, and Heritage

‘Mother Tongue’ tells the story of Amy Tan, who experienced the effects of bilingualism and her journey within an immigrant family. Tan begins the story by discussing the various forms of English she uses in different situations and places, referring to them as ‘Englishes’. The way we speak changes depending on where we are. The English we use varies: it tends to be simpler at home but more complex in academic settings. As a language student, I use my best and most complex English in school, but with friends or in daily texts, my English becomes simpler and more understandable.

Later, Tan provides information about her mother’s English. Her parents were Chinese immigrants living in America, and she grew up speaking both Chinese and English. Her mother’s English was limited and depended on how much she could understand. Tan mentions the terms ‘fractured’ and ‘broken’, but she does not like these terms as they imply damage and negativity. She prefers to use the term ‘limited’, though she does not like it either. In our daily lives, many people use what we might call ‘limited’ English. Assigning a negative meaning to an individual’s English may lead to a loss of self-esteem. Tan describes her mother’s English as ‘the language that helped shape the way I saw things, expressed things, and made sense of the world.’ Languages spoken at home play a crucial role in shaping a child’s mind. Education starts at home, so the lack of English proficiency in parents may influence the child’s view of English.

In general, the text provides information about different variations of English, the writer’s mother, her English abilities, and how these factors impacted both of their lives. I found ‘Mother Tongue’ satisfying to read, as the text presented relatable situations that resonated with my experiences. Using different English in different situations and places is very relatable for me. Her characters feel like real people, and as a reader, I can easily relate to them because they possess familiar traits from our society. Through the text, we gain insight into the experiences of a Chinese-American woman and the struggles faced by many children of immigrant families.

The author, Amy Tan, is Chinese-American, and her family spoke a combination of Chinese and Chinese English at home until she was five years old. In ‘Mother Tongue’ we can see that Tan incorporates her cultural background into her work. She provides insight into how her Chinese heritage affected her English and maths skills. Tan explains that during her early school years, her English was not as strong as her maths. She attributes this to her Chinese background, which she believes influenced her perspective on language and contributed to her aptitude for numbers. Additionally, we see that Tan and her mother were very close. Their relationship is reflected not only in ‘Mother Tongue’ but also in her other works, such as ‘The Joy Luck Club’ where she writes about Chinese women and their Americanised daughters. The author’s life seamlessly finds a place in her works, perhaps even without her realising it. Overall, I’ve observed that her thoughts and background are evident as we read, allowing us to understand her perspective.