Question

Read the excerpt from "Mother Tongue."

Just last week, I was walking down the street with my mother, and I again found myself conscious of the English I was using, the English I do use with her. We were talking about the price of new and used furniture and I heard myself saying this: "Not waste money that way." My husband was with us as well, and he didn’t notice any switch in my English. And then I realized why. It’s because over the twenty years we’ve been together I’ve often used that same kind of English with him, and sometimes he even uses it with me. It has become our language of intimacy, a different sort of English that relates to family talk, the language I grew up with.

How does Tan build a central idea of her story in the excerpt?

A. Tan discusses the form of language she uses with her family to support the idea that nonstandard English is only appropriate at home.
B. Tan describes a realization she makes while with her husband to support the idea that nonstandard forms of English are important forms of communication.
C. Tan compares the English of her childhood with the English of her adulthood to support the idea that adults should use standard English with children.
D. Tan relates a story about her husband to support the idea that people do not always understand each other, even when they speak the same language.

Answer 1

Amy Tan's excerpt from "Mother Tongue" illustrates the importance of nonstandard English forms as a means of constructing identity and creating intimacy within personal relationships, underscoring the connection between language and culture.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the excerpt from "Mother Tongue," Amy Tan builds a central idea of her story by detailing a personal anecdote that illustrates the use of nonstandard English within the context of family and close relationships. By recounting how she naturally switches to this form of English when speaking with her mother and realizing that her husband, too, has adopted elements of it in their private conversations, Tan showcases the importance and legitimacy of different English forms. This supports the idea that while society might privilege standard English, nonstandard forms are not only valid but also serve as a means of creating intimacy and conveying identity.

The connection between language and culture, how code-switching plays a role in both personal and public domains, and the shaping of identity through our linguistic choices, are all themes woven into this narrative. Tan's reflection on her language usage demonstrates how intertwined language is with our personal relationships and our cultural backgrounds, reinforcing the concept that language serves as a core component of our identity.