Module 3 Discussion
People are judged differently by the society based on how they have mastered English and how they express themselves. Due to this reason, individuals may misjudge an individual and develop a misunderstanding of their intentions if the individual is not fluent with the language used in the society. In Amy Tan’s essay “Mother Tongue,” she describes the different ways she and her mother used English to express themselves as ‘Englishes’ as it was not as perfect as the English spoken in the American society. Due to this reason, most of the people misunderstood them because their English was not perfect. The “Englishes” involved the English she used to talk to her mother, the one her mother used to talk to her, the English she talked to her husband, and the English she was taught in school (Tan, 3). Despite the existence of significant differences in how Tan interacted with her family members, they understood each other well since it was the language they are used to. To them, it was perfect tools for communications even through no grammatical rules were considered.
In most cases, I use different languages based on the people I interact with. This situation is based on the different relationships I maintain with the individuals I interact with. With my parents and siblings, I usually use English, which they can easily understand and relate to. All my life, I have grown interacting with them most positively. This aspect has enhanced our understanding of each other and established an identity for us as a family. When interacting with my friends and peers in the neighborhood, I use another English, non-formal, and incorporating slang. This English enables us to make fun of every moment we have. This English serves as our identity in the hood, and it enables us to relate to the environment. At school, I try my best to be formal and use official English. Students are always after the perfection of our communication skills at school in school, and it is the form of English that is tested in tests. My environment and the situation greatly influence the different “Englishes” I use. Such English changes enable me to relate to the environment I’m in. It enables me to feel comfortable and free as I interact with people who are comfortable with the language.
As a society, individuals tend to judge different Englishes based on their understanding of their language. In this case, individuals normally judge an individual’s race or level of education based on their accent and how proficient they are conversing in English. For example, immigrants tend to have an accent influenced by their first language, making it easier to identify as their English is not perfect. African Americans also have a specific accent they use when communicating, which is also influenced by the environment that surrounds them. Hispania, Mexicans, Japanese, and Chinese also have accents that are influenced by their native languages. Also, individuals who use simple English with few vocabularies are considered illiterate. Most educated people are expected to use great terminologies when conversing with other people to show their status. This aspect makes individuals who have an excellent command in English vocabulary to be highly respected irrespective of their age or gender. Therefore, the “Englishes” than individuals use enables society to create a specific impression and guide the way society treats them.
Work cited
Tan, Amy. “Mother tongue.” The Threepenny Review 43.7 (1990).