Introduction
In this text, the central idea is linguistic integration. It is about how the language spoken in the family plays a role in forming the child’s language. In other words, it is about how language is included in migrant families. Immigrants’ English language differs from native speakers, but this does not mean that immigrants speak badly. It is just that this language contains the identity of nationality.
Discussion
What is considered “broken” English in society is not such. Moreover, this is a language that combines two cultures. The reason for this is the fact that language cannot be considered only a practical communication tool. Among other things, language is material for creating both individual and group cultural characteristics. However, families who have immigrated to a country with a non-native language may often experience a language barrier. This can make refugees feel isolated, hopeless, and antisocial, which often leads to depression. Problems with speech and understanding prevent refugees from making friends with American peers and, unfortunately, can make them a target for bullying. In this essay, Amy Tan shares the main linguistic problems most immigrants face from their experiences.
The above text demonstrates examples of what problems immigrants have to face when their English is perceived to be insufficiently pure. “And I had plenty of empirical evidence to support me: the fact that people in department stores, at banks, and at restaurants did not take her seriously, did not give her good service, pretended not to understand her, or even acted as if they did not hear her” (Tan, 1990, p. 2).
In this excerpt, we are talking about how society treated her mother, who spoke English, not as a native speaker. That is, society deliberately ignores people whose English is not clean enough. This approach only strengthens the language barrier and integration into the community. In my experience of integration, there were also such cases. During telephone conversations in English, I was often misunderstood, limiting me not only in everyday matters but also in getting a job. Most likely, every immigrant has such examples. Therefore, tolerance must be more developed in the culture, and immigrants are not hindered from the opportunity to improve their language. On the contrary, linguistic integration is part of the community.
Furthermore, the idea traced throughout the text is that language ability does not affect mental performance. “She reads the Forbes report, listens to Wall Street Week, converses daily with her stockbroker, reads all of Shirley MacLaine’s books with ease–all kinds of things I can’t begin to understand. Nevertheless, some of my friends tell me they understand 50 percent of what my mother says” (Tan, 1990, p. 1).
In this passage, we are discussing that language proficiency and mental abilities are not correlated. There is often an opinion that if an immigrant cannot perfectly learn a language in a certain amount of time, then this is clear evidence of his weak mental indicators. However, this is fundamentally not true. In my experience, I am well acquainted with how linguistic skills are equated with mental abilities. However, even though my English is not perfect, I have already become one of the best speakers and writers. As already mentioned, language is the material for creating cultural features. People who move to a country with a non-native language do not automatically lose their cultural and linguistic characteristics. One way or another, their culture will be integrated into the English language. Thus, the integration of linguistic culture is not evidence of mental abilities but only the result of linguistic integration.
The last important factor we can trace throughout the text about the difficulties of language integration is the need to speak the local language. “And when the doctor finally called her daughter, me, who spoke in perfect English — lo and behold — we had assurances the CAT scan would be found, promises that a conference call on Monday would be held, and apologies for any suffering my mother had gone through for a most regrettable mistake ” (Tan, 1990, p. 2).
Throughout the text, you can see the difficulties and problems the Tang family faced due to the language barrier and how English knowledge helped them cope. In my experience, there is also such an example. My aunt has lived here for more than 30 years, but she never learned English and did not get an education, and therefore she did not achieve the goals and dreams that she originally had. Language is a crucial tool for integration into society. In order to adapt to a new environment, it is necessary to master, study, and develop a language to become an equal part of society.
Conclusion
Thus, in this text, the main idea is the importance of linguistic integration. Linguistic integration of migrants speaking languages other than the host society’s language is an asymmetric and uneven process. The integration depends on the point of view of the country’s population and the migrants themselves. Host society members may feel excitement or fear for their national identity. Moreover, as was demonstrated in the text, society treats the imperfect language of immigrants somewhat differently. This causes problems due to the inability to express your thoughts in another way. However, it is essential to learn and develop the host country’s language, as it is a sign of respect and a way to integrate into society and successfully adapt to a new country.
Reference
Tan, A. (1990). Mother tongue. The Threepenny Review, 43(7), 1-4. Web.