Question

What does Tan mean when she says her mother’s broken English "almost had an effect on limiting her possibilities in life"?

A) Tan's mother intentionally limited her possibilities.
B) Tan's mother used broken English to limit her own possibilities.
C) Tan's mother faced limitations due to language barriers.
D) Tan's mother had no limitations despite broken English.

Answer 1

Tan means that her mother's broken English led to limitations due to language barriers, which could have restricted her opportunities in life.

Step-by-step explanation:

When Tan refers to her mother’s broken English “almost having an effect on limiting her possibilities in life”, she means that C) Tan's mother faced limitations due to language barriers. The broken English spoken by her mother could have potentially prevented her from accessing certain opportunities, since language proficiency is often key to professional and social integration. This concept can be seen in broader contexts where language skills or lack thereof can impact an individual's ability to engage in various aspects of society, be it in securing employment, accessing services, or participating in community activities.