Tongue Readings SWA

“Mother Tongue” was a short writing on how the author spoke different types of English depending on who her audience was. When she talks about her writing, she speaks professional, college level English as opposed to when she speaks to her mother; she speaks in “broken” English. The writer also explains that since her mother doesn’t speak English that well, it’s very hard for her to get what she needs/wants. She decided to go against the status quo of Asians being good at math or science and be challenged at being an English major. Amy Tan uses her skill at writing to appeal to her audience. She tries to write what she thinks her audience will understand. “How to Tame a Wild Tongue” is very much similar to that of “Mother Tongue” in which that they are both quite ashamed of what they are: Chinese and Chicana. In “How to Tame a Wild Tongue”, Gloria also speaks of the many languages she adapts when certain audiences are present. She speaks “Tex-Mex” with her brother and sister while she speaks English with Chicanas from San Francisco.

These two writings are different in the reason why they don’t speak the same with everyone they know. Amy Tan in “Mother Tongue” doesn’t because she’s ashamed while Gloria in “How to Tame a Wild Tongue” doesn’t because she’s afraid. Being ashamed and being afraid aren’t exactly the same feeling. I can relate to these articles in the fact that I act different depending on what friends I hang around. With my guy friends I’m more laid back, while with my gal friends I’m more bubbly and talkative. I can see where these women are coming from in the way that context means everything.