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ENG 122 Summative Assessment Part Two
SNHU
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Introduction
The article that has been critically analyzed in the essay is titled ‘Mother Tongue’
and it is written by Amy Tan. She has explained in her work that the English that an
individual uses must not be used for judging his intellect, knowledge and passion. The
author has supported her arguments by using concrete research evidence as well as her own
past experience.
The claim of the author that would be evaluated in the critical essay relates to how
people judge others by merely listening to their English. They use it to make assumptions
about their knowledge, passion and intent. Such an approach gives them an inaccurate
picture. The author has supported this claim by sharing how her mother faced challenges in
life while interacting with others with her broken English. Since the English that she used
was not fluent, people in diverse settings such as banks, departmental stores pretended not
to listen to her.
Judging people by focusing on their English language
Tan has stated in her work that it is common for people to judge a book by its
cover. In the specific context, it implies that people judge others by just taking into
consideration the English language that they use. Instead of focusing on the underlying
knowledge and intelligence that a person possesses, people start jumping to absurd
conclusions. They believe that imperfect English means imperfect knowledge and
intelligence.
A key statement that helped to form the analysis is ‘That was the language that
helped shape the way I saw things, expressed things, made sense of the world.’ Tan has
stated that her mother’s English might seem broken and imperfect to the rest of the word
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but it has played a cardinal role in her life. In fact her mother’s English has influenced the
person she has grown to be.
The discrimination that her mother has faced in her life in different areas of life
such as at banks, in departmental stores, and in restaurants is a crucial part of Tan’s work.
It gives a glimpse into the preconceived notions that people have about others who use
broken or limited English like her mother. But Tan has further stated that the broken
English of her mother has not restricted her intent, passion, knowledge and intelligence.
Conclusion
The analysis of the work shows how people are quick to judge others by taking into
consideration their English language. Instead of focusing in the latent aspects such as
insight and knowledge, they start assuming that people using imperfect English have
imperfect thoughts as well.
The work on the critical essay has been extremely enriching and interesting for me.
I have been able to work on my critical thinking skills, and analytical ability. In addition to
this, I have also been able to work on different revision strategies which have ultimately
helped me to improve m essay. The learning can be applied by me to future writing
activities in my academic or professional life to improve my skills and ability as a writer.
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References
Tongue, M. (2003). Amy Tan. The World is a Text: Writing, Reading, and Thinking about
Culture and Its Contexts, 291.
