“Mother Tongue” questions

1. What does Amy Tan mean when she says that she grew up with many Englishes?

2. Why is Tan very conscious of the English she uses?

Because it has changed and isn't the same version that Tan grew up with.

3. What does Amy Tan think about her mother’s English? What do her friends say about
it?
Am y thinks that her mother speaks perfectly, but her friends understand 50 percent of what her
mother says, 80 to 90, or even none of it.

4. Why does Tan think about the word “broken” when describing her mother’s English?
Why does she not like to use it?
Because it is very limited. Tan doesnt like to think of her mothers english as if it were damaged
and needed to be fixed.
5. Describe two examples when Tan helped her mother with speaking to people?

When Tan’s mother made her call the stockbroker, and then the doctor.

6. What stereotype of Asian Americans does Tan discuss? How did she break that?

That the way they speak is broken or fractured, and that they should be steered away from
maths and sciences.

7. What important idea (theme) was developed through this piece?

That you cannot judge a person based on how well they can speak english. Just because you
cant understand them does not mean that they are not saying something smart.

8. Provide one line that best shows this idea.

“Asian-American students whose English spoken in the home might also be described
as "broken" or
"limited." And perhaps they also have teachers who are steering them away from writing
and into math and
science, which is what happened to me.”