Martin 1 Shareef Martin Professor Wong AAS 115 October 1, 2013 The Art of Language I am a writer.

And by that definition. I am someone who has always loved language (Tan 29). Language is defined as a system of words or signs that people use to express thoughts and feelings to one another. In her essay, Mother Tongue, Amy Tan describes the negative aspects that many people who struggle with language barriers typically endure. She illustrates her mother as a form of what others defined to be known as broken English (31). Language so greatly instruments our world today that it essentially defines us as a person and is used as our road map in our everyday lifestyles; whether it comes to how we interact with people or how we go about our daily lives. America, being one of the most diverse countries in the world, is well habituated with the many different customs and minorities that are settled. Many immigrants from other countries, specifically, Asia, come to America to seek refuge and hopefully start a better life, but not everyone is accustomed to the American lifestyle. Most immigrants speak with their native tongue and use English as their second language, while some others cannot even speak English and must adjust themselves to the new environment presented to them. Tan makes the subtle statement that many people in our world today tend to take advantage of people with broken English, because they are seen as substandard to everyone else. Being raised by a FilipinoAmerican mother, I can very well relate to Tans essay in the sense that my mother also speaks with limited English and is disregarded sometimes due to her grammatical errors and lackluster

Martin 2 vocabulary. This limitation did not stop her from achieving her goals to become successful in her field of choice nursing in fact; she went on to become top advisor in her work field. It is important to know that this world is filled with diversity; nothing in the world is the same, which is why it is important to know that an individuals importance should not be based on what they can or cannot do. Tan makes the statement that the way someone speaks does not determine their intelligence, because although English is not universal, the art of language and the use of its words are, even if it is not interpreted all the same. The language that her mother spoke distanced her from the respect that people who spoke clear and regular English received more. It is evident in our world today, that many people with language barriers do not obtain the same respect as many others who do not have these restrictions do. This idea is an unfortunate reality about how the world operates today, but the language in which someone speaks does not make anyone more or less of who they are as a person. For example, a math teacher, whose class I had taken in the past, had a thick Egyptian accent and no one in the class could understand him well. Most students would write him off as a terrible teacher immediately just based on his accent alone. However, I did not see him this way; he was actually an intelligent and well-educated man who knew exactly what he was doing. After getting tutored by him several times, I got used to his accent and actually learned a lot in class. I ended up passing the class smoothly. This demonstrates that no one should be stereotyped and dismissed instantly without understanding what someone has to say. One important subject that comes out of the idea of language is the awareness of selfidentification and the formation of ones character. The general consensus is that the background a person comes from suggests what a person will eventually do when they grow up. Although

Martin 3 this subject is not necessarily true, with all the stereotypes in the world, many people are accustomed into thinking that way. Tan struggled with finding out her niche growing up as well. With being of Asian-American descent, she was expected to take up a field which involved math or science. Instead, she defied the stereotypes casted against her and took up English as her major and went on to be a successful writer (33). One of the noblest things a person can do is to be presented a challenge and overcome the possibilities to seize the opportunity. This is a struggle with a lot of young men and women in the world today and an idea that many people can relate with. Most people today make personal goals for themselves, but they are reluctant to act upon those goals because it may go against their background, religious views, or they may have any handicaps, such as imperfect English. As history has proven in the past time and time again, is that successful cases about overcoming the odds only come from people who believe in their potential despite all the obstacles in their way. They strive on without giving up in order to reach their higher potential, one successful example of that, is Amy Tan, herself. Language shapes our lives and is part of our character. It should never be a hindrance to seek out ones true potential, if more people understood this concept, then less people would feel restricted to pursue their ambitions. In conclusion, language has a huge impact on our lives and defines us as a person. Tan knew that her mother was no less smarter than the next person and realized that a persons broken English is not a deterrent to their ability and knowledge. Language is universal and is the foundation to our background and anyone is wrong to think that otherwise. No one should take advantage of someone due to their limitations. Every voice has a reason and every word has a meaning behind it. Sometimes it is a good thing to read in between the lines rather than just the surface to truly understand the importance of what a person has to say.

Martin 4 Works Cited Tan, Amy. Mother Tongue. The Short Prose Reader 2003: 28-35. Print.