Blog #2

Language played an important role in Amy Tan’s life. She grew up with a mom who first language isn’t English. Amy Tan grew up speaking a different kind of English. Amy Tan completely understands her mother’s English but some of her friends “say they understand none of it, as if she were speaking pure Chinese.” To her, her mother’s “English is perfectly clear, perfectly natural.” Amy Tan, states, “It has always bothered me that I can think of no way to describe it other than “broken,” this quote shows that she didn’t like to say her mom spoke “broken” English. She was embarrassed of the way her mom spoke English. Growing up, speaking “broken” English affected the results she received on certain exams. She didn’t do poorly on those exams but she knew English just wasn’t her best subject. She believed that her abilities in math and science were stronger due to achieving higher grades in those subjects. She started to become aware of her own language while she was giving a speech in front of her mom and a group of people. While she was speaking, she realized that she was speaking a different way, a way that her mom wasn’t familiar with. She speaks English one way to her mom and another way to other people.

I think many people who learn English as a second language or are raised in non- English households are constantly aware of the language that is used around them. People are always listening to the conversations of others. While they’re are listening, they notice the slang people use and the way people say certain sentences. Hearing others talk in their community can influence the way they speak. Everyone grows up different and grows up speaking a language a certain way. I am aware how English is used around me. I am an observant person. I often notice slang words people say.

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