Blog Post #4 "Mother tongue"

G'day 

Home language.

  

Home language is exposed to individuals at a young age. It is shown through your parents, who have been exposed by their parents and so on. I believe that a home language distinguishes who you are, it gives you a beginning to your identity, for example, if you are exposed to a strong, loud, forceful background you will carry this identity with you through out your lifestyle. Although home language is carried with you through your life, you usually don’t use it on a public basis. The reason is because everybody experiences a different home language, with so many cultures, many acceptable and unacceptable coincide. In particular China, it is common to greet someone with a quite tone and to not use physical means of greeting, however, in southern parts of America people greet you in a loud tone and straight after try to shake your hand.  As well as coinciding cultures, in today’s society judgment is a large aspect to acceptance and treatment.

Mothers tongue written by Amy tan is a short story show casing how her home language created problems for her and in particular, her mother. As Amy was a first generation Chinese American a lot of the cultures were new to her, and her mother and adapting to judgment was tough for her, often feeling sympathy to her mother.

I feel that one idea, which was present and had an impact on home language, was judgment and even embarrassment. Amy suggests that her mother uses “broken” or “fractured” English, however consistently states that these titles bother her. This shows a specific tone Amy is using, which is a sympathetic tone. A quote, which shows her sympathy, is 

“ The fact people didn’t take her seriously, did not give her good service”

Here Amy uses past experiences of how her mother’s home language has limited their lifestyle. This quote suggests that because of her limited language she is isolated and judged to the point where simple tasks like service are forgotten. 

A stronger example of judgment is involved with Amy talking during the phone calls instead of her mother. Even tasks, which are serious and should be taken seriously, are not, since her husband and son have died from cancer Mrs. Tan wanted to check her brain for any cases. Surprisingly the hospital had lost the documents and she would need to come in next week to redo the tests, someone in her point of mind would be extremely anxious and a hospital loosing a document this important is unethical. To showcase how judgment affects her situation Amy’s mother used Amy’s English skills to speak with the doctor. “ Finally when the doctor called me, who spoke perfect English- Io and behold- we had assurance the CAT scan would be found” Here Amy shows how the judgment of voice can have impact as since she used clear English she gained an advantage, which was assurance that the documents would be found. 

Overall I believe Mothers Tongue is a perfect example of how “Home language” may not be accepted in society. Although this is not a cultural example it shows how judgment is a large aspect to acceptance and treatment in today's society. This is also a particular situation where “home language” is adapted to be accepted, as stated previously home language distinguishes who you are, gives you an identity. In Amy’s case she is introduced into a new society where her home language has to be adapted for acceptance.