Mother Tongue

In her essay Mother Tongue, Amy Tan reflects on the different “Englishes” she uses in her daily life, the formal English she uses in professional settings, and the informal, often grammatically unconventional English she speaks with her mother. She describes how her mother’s English, often labeled as “broken” or “limited,” shaped her own understanding of language and identity. Despite sounding imperfect to others, Tan sees her mother’s English as rich, vivid, and full of meaning. She explains how people treated her mother with disrespect due to her way of speaking, and how Tan often had to act as a translator or representative to help her mother be taken seriously. Tan also discusses how growing up with this type of English affected her academic performance, especially in English-related subjects. Ultimately, the essay highlights the power of language in shaping perception, experience, and personal voice, especially for children of immigrants navigating multiple cultures and languages.

Exposition

Amy Tan introduces herself and the concept of "different Englishes" she uses in different contexts, formal English and the more informal, simplified English she uses with her mother. She explains how language has shaped her life and identity as a Chinese-American.

Inciting Incident

Tan recalls a specific moment where she gave a talk and realized that the English she used in academic or professional settings was very different from the English she uses with her mother, which she calls "mother tongue." She reflects on how people often dismiss her mother's English as "broken" or "limited."

Rising Action

She shares personal stories showing how her mother’s English affected their lives, such as her mother being ignored or not taken seriously by banks or doctors. Amy often had to step in and speak on her mother’s behalf to get proper treatment or service. These experiences show the discrimination her mother faced because of how she spoke.

Climax

Tan reveals how these experiences made her realize the power of language, not just to communicate, but to shape how others see you. This realization leads her to challenge the way English is valued in society and how it relates to identity, intelligence, and self-worth.

Falling Action

She explains her decision to become a writer, despite being discouraged from pursuing English due to stereotypes about Asian students. She wanted to write stories that reflected her own background and could be understood by her mother.

Resolution

Tan concludes by affirming that she writes using all the Englishes she grew up with, especially the “mother tongue” she shared with her mom. Her mother even read her work and said, “So easy to read.” This shows Tan’s success in creating writing that honors her culture and her mother’s voice.