Jose Ledezma Cervantes
Professor Ibarra
English 10
27 September 2016
A Tongue without Limitations
Throughout the essay “Mother's Tongue” by Amy Tan the author uses a very explicit writing style which makes it clear for the audience to understand what is being expressed and introduced in the essay. Tans essay is a rather personal piece of writing whose purpose is not to evaluate what someone is saying but rather the meaning of the language being used. “Mother’s Tongue’s” audience are immigrants or those who aren't fluent to the English language. Its intended to make those who are prejudice against “Broken English” or “Limited English” speakers and making them identify themselves with the meaning of what is being said not with what is said. She …show more content…
For example she uses conversations she had with her mother when explaining broken or limited language. Tan uses fragmented sentences like “Mean gives lots of respect. Chinese custom. Chinese social life that way. If too important won't have to stay too long”(Tan. 5) as points of reference towards the broken language her mother speaks thus enhancing the power of language which she emphases throughout her essay. Amy many of the times would help her mother out when dealing with important people by pretending to be her mother and speaking proper english which she herself was unable to speak. Her mother would tell her what to say like “Why he don't send me check, already two weeks late. So mad he like to me, losing me money”(Tan. 9). Then Amy would translate the same thing but in proper English like “Yes, I am getting rather concern. You had agreed to send the check two weeks ago, but it hasn’t arrived”(Tan. 9). In many situations such as these Amy would feel very embarrassed when having to speak proper English which her mother was unable to but at the same time she felt it was the only way for her mother to get the respect she deserved. By her mother speaking “Broken English” she wouldn’t get the same respect as those who spoke “Proper English”. Amy states in her essay that she was …show more content…
She uses all three forms of rhetorical styles, she uses pathos, logos, and ethos in order to establish a connection with her readers but also to illustrate her purpose of the writing. The author also uses different types of rhetorical devices such as anecdotes and forms of repetitions. The primary purpose of her uses of rhetorical strategies, techniques and devices are to make the reader aware of her main points in her essay. All of the uses of rhetorical strategies that Tan implements does fulfill the author's main purpose and goal for writing such a piece, she creates a connection with the reader allowing her to convey her main message to her audience. The authors main primary purpose is to inform and make the reader realize that those who have a limitation in speaking english does not necessarily mean that the people face limitations in their daily life. As an example you have Tan's mother whose inability to speak fluent english doesn’t hold her back not puts limitations in her life. Its intended to make those who are prejudice against “Broken English” or “Limited English” speakers and making them identify themselves with the meaning of what is being said not with what is said. She is trying to make them acknowledge the meaning of the language being spoken not the language
Professor Ibarra
English 10
27 September 2016
A Tongue without Limitations
Throughout the essay “Mother's Tongue” by Amy Tan the author uses a very explicit writing style which makes it clear for the audience to understand what is being expressed and introduced in the essay. Tans essay is a rather personal piece of writing whose purpose is not to evaluate what someone is saying but rather the meaning of the language being used. “Mother’s Tongue’s” audience are immigrants or those who aren't fluent to the English language. Its intended to make those who are prejudice against “Broken English” or “Limited English” speakers and making them identify themselves with the meaning of what is being said not with what is said. She …show more content…
For example she uses conversations she had with her mother when explaining broken or limited language. Tan uses fragmented sentences like “Mean gives lots of respect. Chinese custom. Chinese social life that way. If too important won't have to stay too long”(Tan. 5) as points of reference towards the broken language her mother speaks thus enhancing the power of language which she emphases throughout her essay. Amy many of the times would help her mother out when dealing with important people by pretending to be her mother and speaking proper english which she herself was unable to speak. Her mother would tell her what to say like “Why he don't send me check, already two weeks late. So mad he like to me, losing me money”(Tan. 9). Then Amy would translate the same thing but in proper English like “Yes, I am getting rather concern. You had agreed to send the check two weeks ago, but it hasn’t arrived”(Tan. 9). In many situations such as these Amy would feel very embarrassed when having to speak proper English which her mother was unable to but at the same time she felt it was the only way for her mother to get the respect she deserved. By her mother speaking “Broken English” she wouldn’t get the same respect as those who spoke “Proper English”. Amy states in her essay that she was …show more content…
She uses all three forms of rhetorical styles, she uses pathos, logos, and ethos in order to establish a connection with her readers but also to illustrate her purpose of the writing. The author also uses different types of rhetorical devices such as anecdotes and forms of repetitions. The primary purpose of her uses of rhetorical strategies, techniques and devices are to make the reader aware of her main points in her essay. All of the uses of rhetorical strategies that Tan implements does fulfill the author's main purpose and goal for writing such a piece, she creates a connection with the reader allowing her to convey her main message to her audience. The authors main primary purpose is to inform and make the reader realize that those who have a limitation in speaking english does not necessarily mean that the people face limitations in their daily life. As an example you have Tan's mother whose inability to speak fluent english doesn’t hold her back not puts limitations in her life. Its intended to make those who are prejudice against “Broken English” or “Limited English” speakers and making them identify themselves with the meaning of what is being said not with what is said. She is trying to make them acknowledge the meaning of the language being spoken not the language