Amy Tan Mother Tongue Summary

In the article “Mother Tongue” (1991), Asian-American novelist, Amy Tan emphasizes the idea that we all speak different languages unconsciously and that we are categorized by the way we speak. She develops this through using anecdotes by describing the stereotypes that she addresses while also juxtaposing the “broken” English her mother speaks by using oxymorons (“her mother’s impeccable English”) versus the “perfect” English most other speakers have. She illuminates these ideas in a rebellious persona in order to show us the stereotypes that everyone faces whether it be with our broken English or what the world thinks and expects of our race and culture. Tan addresses people who have so-called “perfect” English and people who has English