Question

What point is tan making with the example of her mother and the hospital in mothers tongue

Answer 1

Amy Tan, in 'Mother Tongue', uses her mother's hospital experience to demonstrate the impact of language bias and the power of language in society. Her mother's 'broken' English led to inadequate care, which changed only when Tan intervened with standard English.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the story 'Mother Tongue' by Amy Tan, she uses the example of her mother and the hospital to highlight the effects of language bias. This is seen when her mother's limited English ability, or 'broken' English as Tan describes it, leads to inadequate care at the hospital. Tan's mother wasn't given the respect she deserved until Tan herself spoke on her mother's behalf in standard English. From this, Tan makes a couple of key points:

1. Language Bias: Her mother’s treatment in the hospital reveals language bias, an important theme that Tan explores throughout her essay. People who do not speak standard English are often treated as inferior or less intelligent.
2. Power of Language: Tan emphasizes the power of language to influence interactions and perceptions in society. By switching to 'perfect' English, she manages to gain the help and respect her mother needed.

Learn more about Mother Tongue by Amy Tan