1. What does the essay say about mother-daughter relationships? What does it say about parent-child relationships? What does it reveal about relationships in general?
2. What is the power of language? How does Tan discuss language in the context of her relationship with her mother? Why is language powerful?
3. Define the title of the essay, "Mother tongue." What does it mean? How does it work in the context of this novel? How does it function?
Remember to write at least one paragraph. A paragraph is 4-6 coherent sentences.
"Mother Tongue" refers to the way that Tan's mother speaks. Although it is English, her mother has her own way of talking. The title works in the context of the novel because Tan introduces us to her mother's "language" later on rather than right at the beginning. This allows for us to want to know more about her mother--like a hook.
ReplyDelete2. In the essay Mother Tongue, Amy Tan talks a lot about language. She talks about the power of language, she refers to the power of language as the basis of language, and expression. Tan discusses language throughout her essay; she says that language is powerful because it establishes who is in control of the conversation. She also talked about language and how it relates to her relationship with her mother. Tan says, that she understands her mother unlike other people because it establishes her home life and where she came from.
ReplyDelete2. The power of language is to be able to express yourself, show emotion and tell stories. Tan feels that her language between her an her mother is a broken language. Even though Tan can speak well English she said around her mother she would speak diferent, this might be so her mother could understand her better and so she wouldnt feel bad. Language is powerful because its a way to express yourself and share feelings, emotions, and stories.
ReplyDeleteAnswer to question 1:
ReplyDeleteI think that what this essay is saying about mother-daughter relationships is that since they are connected to each other in such a close way that a mother-daughter relationship can make it through pretty much anything. I think that what this essay says about parent-child relationships is that no matter what happens that family is always there. And that they don't care what it is they will always be on your side. Language is powerful because no matter what is happening you can always hear how someone is talking by how they speak, or use their language.
1. Amy Tan's essay Mother Tongue shows the relationship between a mother and daughter. Even though Tan's mother has what most consider broken english and can barely understand her, Amy Tan understands her perfectly. She grew up with her mother and understands the quirkyness of her mother's language and that shows how close the two are. Close relationships between people can influence the language and the way they react with one another. There are inside jokes and slang that can sometimes only be understood if you have a good relationship with a person.
ReplyDelete3. Mother tongue is the language used around a certain person. In this context, it is used to describe how Tan’s mother speaks. She uses English that is different from many other people that either grew up here or have English as their first language. In this novel, it shows the way people treat others who may not be the same. The language used is different therefore making other people think Tan’s mother is inadequate.
ReplyDeleteThe title of the essay “Mother Tongue” means the language of a person’s family. This is more important for a person whose family immigrated, because it gives them the chance to learn a second language. For the author, this also meant that she developed a love of language and became an author. For others it sometimes meant that they went into math and sciences because their English test scores were low.
ReplyDelete2. The power of language is being able to speak your mind. Language and thought are connected. We are able to learn and communicate because of our ability to speak a language. In Tan’s essay, “Mother Tongue” she discusses language in the context of her relationship with her mother. She does this by showing us how her mother speaks “broken” English and is dependent upon her daughter to get her out of certain situations. Language is powerful because if you don’t speak the language of your country well enough for the people to understand you, they will be rude or just ignore you.
ReplyDeleteThis essay says that mother-daughter relationships are very powerful, or they can be very powerful. Tan’s mother-daughter relationship was very important to her. She cares a lot about her mother and she cares a lot about her mother’s opinion. Mother’s help all children to get through the hardships of life; a mother is one of the most important people in a child’s life. Parents help children and they guide children, a child with a well-rounded childhood has that childhood because of their parents. Parents have a difficult relationship with their children at times, but in the end the relationship between a parent and a child is one of the most important ones.
ReplyDeleteLanguage is powerful because you are able to say things that you want to say and say them the way you want them to be heard. You are able to identify different emotions through language even if you can't understand what is being said. The author has a kind of special language with her mother because she speaks "broken" english and not many other people can understand her except for her daughter. She gets steriotyped for not speaking english the way that other people do. Through the essay, the author says that she wanted to be a writer so she had to become better at english because she wanted people to understand her. Therefore, I belive, people can be easily influenced by language.
ReplyDelete1. The essay “Mother Tongue” portrays the mother-daughter relationship two different ways. At first, when she is younger, Tan seems almost ashamed of her mother’s “broken” English, but in the end it shows that Tan’s relationship with her mother is one of pride and understanding. Their relationship throughout the essay is strong, simply because no matter how eloquently Tan can speak now, she can still relate to and understand her “mother’s tongue.” This essay says a lot about parent-child relationships because it portrays a parent as a child’s main learning device, especially when it comes to language. A lot of how a child learns to speak and understand language comes from their home and their parents, by the way they speak and any other people they grow up around. This essay reveals that everyone has many different relationships in their life and that language can separate those relationships. I speak differently to my friends than I do to my parents and this in itself draws a line between those two different relationships. Similarly, Tan and her mother’s relationship through “causal” language is different than the “professional” language she uses in her relationship with readers or with her listeners at a conference.
ReplyDelete1. The relationship between the mother and daughter in the story "Mother Tongue" is very strong. They shared a bond that nobody else could understand. The mothers language made her an outsider in society, but it was the daughter that could understand her and help her say what she means. I feel like the relationship between a parent and a child can be so strong because they are around eachother so much. They learn basically everything about eachother so they share that special bond. I feel like relationships like these are hard to come by. It is something so special and so unique that it is hard to be replaced.
ReplyDelete2.)The power of language is the way we communicate and share ideas. Some people use different languages to talk to other people in a way that makes sense to both of them. Language can be meaningful yet insightful. Tans relationship with her mother revolves around their englishes. Her mothers broken english creates a bond no one else can share. Alot of other people dont even understand what her mom is sayng only the each other understand. The power of language is beautiful because its a everyday skill we use and it can catch us on the best of days and on the worst of days.
ReplyDelete3. I think that the title "Mother Tounge" means the language of which you came from. "Mother Tounge" is the orgin of where you come from and the language of where you are from. From the context of the novel you learn that it is the language of Tans family. Her mother is from China and speaks in "broken english" as the story referes to it. The examples Tan gives in the novel shows how her mother is treated differently because of the way she speaks.
ReplyDeleteKevin Dawson
ReplyDeleteLanguage is powerful because it can connect multiple ways of thinking, and can give someone a different view on things. The way that Tan describes language here though, is she can understand what her mom is trying to say, whereas nobody else can. Tan's mom's dialect is so distinct to her personality, that Tan is the only one who recognizes what her mom is trying to say. This is a special way of bonding with her mom and she sees it as important. She also goes on to say that if people used language like she and her mom did, they could maybe have stronger relationships and communicate better.
2. The power of language can be seen in everyday life, we use it to communicate and show how we feel. Though there are many languages throughout the world it still helps everyone in different ways. Like in the story Tan and her mother have their own "language" that they both understand but others may not. The "broken" english that her mother speaks shows how powerful language can be. To others it may seem like Tan's mother is uneducated but to them it's their own language--its the thing that makes them so close with eachother.
ReplyDelete3. "Mother Tongue" refers to how Tan's mother speaks. Although Tan's mother speaks English, it is not perfect English and is not easily able to be understood. This title means that Tan's mother's language is unique and shows that Tan grew up in an environment where English language were not facts but instead personal opinion. This title works because it shows how even though Tan grew up in an environment like she did, she still managed to overcome her struggles and go for her passion in language. The title functions as a background for the reader to realize that understanding how her mother speaks and thinks is important to Tan, but so is her achievement. Tan is very proud of what she has accomplished and written today because even her mother who does not speak like most people is easily able to read her work.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 1
ReplyDeleteIn the essay "Mother Tongue" the mother-daughter relationship is built on "intimacy." The "intimacy" of a different kind of speech that mothe's and daughter's communicate with one another. The parent-child relationship is different because children are often ashamed of the parent if the parent is seen as "limited" in their speech to their peers. Thus, the child often blames the parent for limiting their potential. The essay reveals that relationships are built on trust that involves "love and forgiveness."
"Mother Tongue" refers to a very specific language, which is Tan's mother's. She explains that though her mother speaks english, some people who are fluent in english can't understand her. In this way, "Mother Tongue" can be the way an individual speaks a language that is familiar to his or herself. Tan's mother speaks english in a way that makes sense to her.
ReplyDeleteMother Tongue refers to the way that her mother speaks. Everyone in here speaks and talks english but the mom has her own way of talking. The title works for the novel because she introduces us to the way her mother talks and she does it later on in the novel rather than right at the beginning. This gets us to want to know more about the mother and it intrigues us more so that we want to read more of the story.
ReplyDelete2)Language is the most direct way an individual can communicate their thoughts, feelings and emotions. In Tan’s experience, the English that she uses with her mother creates a special bond. She explains that the language they use together captures not only their intent; but the passion, imagery, and rhythm of their conversations. Similar to the relationship that Tan has with her mother, language can establish an intimate connection that a small group of people, or a family, may have. Language also establishes the way an individual is perceived by others.
ReplyDelete2-The power of language is that it helps us communicate. Without being able to communicate with one another we'd be screwed. This story should the power of different languages and how the mother's broken tongue created a special kind of bond. Language is used by everyone everyday of their life, it is the a very important piece of who we all are.
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