In 'Mother Tongue', Amy Tan has wonderfully told the readers about the different types of dialects all around the world. She has said how certain people are looked down upon just because of their 'broken English'.Language is essential to life. It makes human beings who they are. Language helps us to communicate. Yet, language cannot be considered a raw measure of intelligence. Nobody's language is flawed, the usual popular stereotypes indicating otherwise. Everybody is unique, and have their own way of communication, their own dialects. Just because a person speaks in a form different from the norm, doesn't mean that their way of communication is flawed.
Amy Tan says that she along with her mother had to go through a very tough time. Once she had to talk her mothers stockbroker in New York so that she would be taken seriously. Another time during a CAT scan, her mother was denied the reports simply because the doctors thought she could not do anything because of her 'broken' English. This happened with me quite a lot, too.
My family struggles with English quite a bit too, it not being one of our first languages. My mother also speaks 'broken English'. Many a time, I have been frustrated by this habit of my mothers. Every time we go out, my mother tries to speak English, but fails to build one grammatically correct sentence. This causes some heads to turn. Apart from her broken English though, she is a very clever person. She cleans the house, keeps tabs, and is who keeps the house together. Where does broken English come into play?
My family struggles with English quite a bit too, it not being one of our first languages. My mother also speaks 'broken English'. Many a time, I have been frustrated by this habit of my mothers. Every time we go out, my mother tries to speak English, but fails to build one grammatically correct sentence. This causes some heads to turn. Apart from her broken English though, she is a very clever person. She cleans the house, keeps tabs, and is who keeps the house together. Where does broken English come into play?
There are many such examples. People like William Shakespeare, for example, never had 'perfect' English, yet is widely remembered for his plays and language! Einstein didn't know how to speak until he was four! Such people, even though not having the best English, went on to revolutionise their respective fields.
Yet, people fail to understand that English is quite never broken. It is just taking different forms, which has arisen due to geographical and cultural differences. The form of English spoken by people depends on their first language too. For example, people from Spain or France tend to roll their tongue while speaking. Australians strain on the vowels while speaking. But this in no way or form plays a role in determining their intellect.
Everyone has to change their attitude towards people with imperfect English. They should no be laughed at or be discriminated, rather we should appreciate how fast and how much English has been spreading throughout the globe!
Until next time,
-spratik
Yet, people fail to understand that English is quite never broken. It is just taking different forms, which has arisen due to geographical and cultural differences. The form of English spoken by people depends on their first language too. For example, people from Spain or France tend to roll their tongue while speaking. Australians strain on the vowels while speaking. But this in no way or form plays a role in determining their intellect.
Everyone has to change their attitude towards people with imperfect English. They should no be laughed at or be discriminated, rather we should appreciate how fast and how much English has been spreading throughout the globe!
Until next time,
-spratik
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