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Why does Tan have a difficult time describing his mother's English as "broken"?

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Final answer:

Describing a mother's English as 'broken' is difficult due to the personal and identity aspects of language, societal judgments, and the meaning conveyed beyond linguistic precision.

Step-by-step explanation:

The difficulty in describing one's mother's English as "broken" often stems from the complex feelings and social implications associated with language perception. Language is deeply personal and tied to identity, and the term "broken" could imply a deficiency or inadequacy, which is not a comfortable or accurate description for the nuanced, effective communication someone like a mother might use. Moreover, there's often a mismatch between linguistic capability and the emotional and intellectual connection that exists between a mother and her child, further complicating how to describe her English.

This is particularly challenging given the societal pressures and judgments that come with language fluency. Using terms like "broken" can be seen as reinforcing negative stereotypes, rather than acknowledging the functional and expressive capacity of a person's language use. Therefore, it's important to recognize the value of all forms of communication, acknowledging that they serve meaningful roles in different contexts and relationships.

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