Perez, Isis
Prof. Tanvi Patel
WRI 10
February 14, 2013
Rhetorical Analysis: “Mother Tongue” by Amy Tan
The ongoing issue of integrating and assimilating into another country’s forms of nationalism like
that of the U.S, most importantly speaking the traditional language, is a very harmful and distressing
process many individuals have to surpass to feel welcomed and comfortable in the living environment,
as Amy Tan discusses in “Mother Tongue”. Through the various different rhetorical strategies and
tactics such as the pathos and logos appeals, as well as a sympathetic and very defensive tone, Amy Tan,
successfully manages to explain that language barriers in the U.S have limited amounts of success and
prosperity levels for non-English speaking residents. The overall purpose of identifying these rhetorical
strategies utilized by Amy Tan in “Mother Tongue” what is the overall purpose and is she successful at
her attempts to persuade her audience towards her claim
By using the role of logic and emotion, the author can more easily convey her lesson and her pain to
the audience, to further comprehend any inequalities immigrants have to deal with how does this relate
to thesis . To leave ones’ homeland and come into another’s’ alone is difficult because?. Having left,
expecting happiness, opportunities, love, wealth, and a change in tolerance for multi-cultural or ethnic
differences in a new place; to only arrive and learn that one is being profiled not only for their gender or
ethnicity, but their native language. Amy Tan discusses her experiences in the U.S with her mother,
having to deal with such injustices that come with their ethnic background. Within the title itself
“Mother Tongue” the reader is instantly posed with a question; what is “Mother Tongue”? However,
throughout the piece Amy Tan goes on describing the meaning or significance of the title, giving
inferences and testimonies to help show the importance of the phrase. For instance the author talks about
how her friends don’t understand much of what her mother says, saying that it sounds like a complete
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different language. Tan then describes her clear understanding with no challenge what so ever of her
mother’s dialect, concluding that her mother, does not speak “broken” or “limited” English as others
refer to as (Tan 764). Tan says,
” But to me, my mother’s English is perfectly clear, perfectly natural. It’s my mother tongue. Her
language, as I hear it, is vivid, direct, and full of observation and imagery. That was the language
that helped shape the way I saw things, expressed things, made sense of the world”(Tan 764).
By explaining the main point she has about embracing ones “mother tongue” through the encounters
with her friends, the audience can infer the argument she is making logically makes sense which would
only gain the readers attention. Also to believe the author has reason and just cause. Another example of
how Tan successfully portrays the essential theme is in her scene describing the negligence and
arrogance of the hospital that her mother had tests performed at.
Having been previously diagnosed with a benign brain tumor, Tan’s mother had a CAT scan done at
a hospital to retrieve further knowledge of her status, only to find that the hospital wanted to make little
effort to retrieve her test results because they thought she might just go away or come back with
someone whose English was “proper”(Tan 765). Tan says,
” And when the doctor finally called her daughter, me, who spoke perfect English-lo and beholdwe had assurances the CAT scan would be found, promises that a conference call on Monday would
be held, and apologies for any suffering my mother had gone through for a most regrettable
mistake”(Tan 766).
Here the author uses the role of emotion to intrigue the reader by discussing a very harmful and
upsetting instance where the lack of speaking English properly, jeopardized the well being of her
mother. If the mother hadn’t had anyone to call and speak English properly for her, her sickness would
potentially progress and no one would know about it because of the neglect and little care the hospital
had for her. The Pathos appeal essentially stimulates the audiences’ to feel sympathy for Amy Tan’s
mother. By using this anecdote to coincide with the appeal, Amy Tan can manipulate the readers to feel
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sympathy for the individuals that have dealt with and are dealing with situations like these. The anecdote
is used to connect to the audience by letting them feel as if they could relate through their own
experiences, potentially evoking more remorse. Ultimately reinforcing the idea that people need to look
past and individuals “Mother Tongue” and give the same treatment that English speakers receive.
English speakers do not have to struggle to receive medical attention nor do they get ridiculed for their
language deficiency. Simply demonstrating how non-speaking English people struggle with finding their
identity in different territories not of their decent.
Along with the pathos and logos appeals, Tan manages to convey her central idea through various
tones, which in essence guide the reader in the argument, and keeps the reader interested. If Tan had
maintained a nonchalant or humorous tone vs. a sympathetic and defensive tone, the audience would not
be as convinced and would believe she was not serious about the topic and/or issue of assimilating into
the U.S culture with language deficiency.
Towards the beginning of the argument, Tan seems ashamed of her mother. Tan recognizes the
difficulties and challenges that she was faced with for her mother’s different vernacular. As Tan said or
says,
” I know this for a fact, because when I was growing up, my mother’s “limited” English limited my
perception of her. I was ashamed of her English. I believed that her English reflected the quality of what
she had to say…( 764). By using an abashed tone when discussing the struggles her mother’s English
created for her, Tan can demonstrate the full magnitude of the issue which is?. As the argument
continues, Amy Tan becomes very much apologetic, showing the reader that she too struggled to
overlook the language barrier her mother had been trapped behind but that she did manage to accept her
mother’s “mother tongue” how does this relate back to main idea?. Then continues on explaining her
sympathy for not only her mother but for all non-English speaking residents and the ways in which she
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embraced the language her mother spoke. An example is,” I wanted to capture what language ability
tests can never reveal: her intent, her passion, her imagery, the rhythms of her speech and the nature of
her thoughts”(Tan 768). Here Tan explains the difference what are the differences? between “proper
English” and her mothers English essentially. She does this so the reader can see how meaningful as
well as powerful ones native language is. The native language is filled with passion and emotion
because the language comes so naturally and one doesn’t really have to think if anyone will understand
the actual words but how the words are spoken. Also using these tones, Tan sets the importance of the
issue at play in case the audience had not yet understood its caliber. Enabling the reader to follow along
in the argument and evoke their own sympathies as well to enhance a much more broad and clear
perspective of these individuals.
Overall Amy Tan adequately informed and persuaded the audience to take another look at the
injustices immigrants like her and her mother, have to deal with not having spoken the native language
of the new land, and be much more considerate and tolerant of ethnic differences. Amy Tan
accomplishes persuasion of the audience by using roles of logic to broaden the comprehension of her
thoughts to her readers by explaining her thoughts thoroughly and incorporating testimonies and
anecdotes. As well as the role of emotion for sympathy from the audience for the non-English speaking
residents, to further feel the pain and anguish these people lived and live because of arrogant and narrow
minded individuals who neglect and are bothered by non-English speakers. Tan also uses an ashamed
tone to a more apologetic then sympathetic tone in her piece to more easily convey her standpoint and
enhance the manner the audience perceives the subject. Concluding, by these different rhetorical
strategies and literary devices, Amy Tan successfully persuaded the reader to overlook the language
barriers that are suppressing the non-English speaking people living happily and in prosperity.
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