“Mother Tongue”

• Genre: Nonfiction; essay
• Originally Published: 1990
• Reading Level/Interest: College/Adult
• Structure/Length: Approx. 4 pages
• Central Concern: In three parts, Amy Tan explores her relationship with the English language, her mother, and her own writing. She discovers that there is nothing wrong with only knowing limited English and that there is no one way to express yourself.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Language learning; the term “broken English”

Amy Tan, Author

• Bio: Born in 1952 in Oakland, California; moved frequently while growing up; attended several colleges, eventually earning a master’s degree in linguistics; worked as a language development specialist; turned to fiction writing in an effort to balance freelance jobs; short stories attracted the attention of a literary agent and potential publishers; earned fame with the publication of The Joy Luck Club; served as a lecturer, TED Talk presenter, Sesame Street guest, and Rock Bottom Remainders band member
• Other Works: The Kitchen God’s Wife (1991); The Hundred Secret Senses (1995); The Bonesetter’s Daughter (2001); Saving Fish from Drowning (2005); The Valley of Amazement (2013)
• Awards: Selected for the 1991 edition of Best American Essays

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Unit:

• Perfect or Broken English
• Sociological Limitations of Language
• Responsibility to Family

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Unit, students will: