Answer:
Tan references her work with language to build the idea that all forms of English are purposeful and meaningful.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the excerpt from "Mother Tongue.", the narrator talks about the power of language and how she has studied the power of language to evoke emotions in people, amongst others.
Tan builds a central idea of her story in the excerpt by referencing her work with language to build the idea that all forms of English are purposeful and meaningful.