Author’s Claim
In her essay “Mother Tongue,” Amy Tan talks about a personal issue that is close to her both as a writer and as an individual. This issue is the judgment passed by people based on the way somebody talks. Particularly, it concerns the English language version that is characteristic for representatives of Asian American minority, especially the first-generation migrants. Talking about this variety of English – the language her mother uses being a Chinese American – the author claims that it should be respected and embraced. She refuses to describe it as “broken” or “limited”; instead, she presents it as an expression of her mother’s character and thoughts and the tool that shaped the author’s outlook. Thus, she wants her readers to understand that imperfect language does not reflect the quality of a person’s thoughts or intents and is not an excuse to treat people differently.
Author’s Key Points
There are several key points that the author uses to support her claim of the importance of embracing her “mother tongue”. First, she talks about different varieties of English (“Englishes”) and how people perceive her mother’s way of speaking. Then, Amy Tan continues by alluding to her feelings towards the “broken” language her mother spoke. She honestly tells how she used to pass a judgment about her mother’s intellectual abilities by how she talked. Moreover, to illustrate how someone’s command of English influenced people’s attitudes, she narrates personal stories from her family’s past that show the seriousness of the issue. Furthermore, Amy Tan touches upon her own experience of battling the widespread misconception of Asian Americans’ language capabilities while becoming a writer. Finally, she concludes her essay by providing an example of how she embraces her “mother tongue” nowadays – by incorporating it into her work and celebrating her mother’s English.
Target Audience
The author is trying to reach out to the general public. The topic of the essay – language and its perception – does not require any additional knowledge or expertise. However, three specific groups could be more interested in the contents. The first group is people who are already involved in the issue of language perception. The second are those who struggle with embracing their parents’ way of speaking. Finally, the third group includes people who, on an everyday basis, get different treatment based on various factors. The author’s message might resonate with this target audience personally by providing information and empowerment.
Connection with Target Audience
Amy Tan, talking to her audience, makes some peculiar choices to connect with her readers. To get close to her readers, she uses a personal and honest approach appealing to the reader’s feelings. However, it keeps the balance between sentimentality and humor, which makes it interesting to read. Moreover, the language that she uses is concise, up-to-the-point, and straightforward. The choice of words is informal and almost conversational: the author does not shy away from using short forms like “can’t” or starting sentences with “and”. She also uses rhetorical questions and repetitions that captivate the audience’s attention.
Evaluation of Claim
The author’s claim is strong and well-supported. Using her personal stories and anecdotes, appealing to readers’ feelings, and providing some reality-based facts, she reaches the effect and connects with her audience. Upon reading the essay, a reader would be moved and convinced about the importance of respecting different manners of speaking. Moreover, it would show the reader how the language, even “broken” and “imperfect, ” does not reflect the speaker’s intelligence disparities. Instead, the language celebrates their unique personality and a one-of-a-kind worldview.