Understanding Amy Tan’s “Mother Tongue”: Pre-Reading Guide

Pre-Reading Assignment: Amy Tan’s “Mother Tongue”

Objective: Before reading Mother Tongue, familiarize yourself with key vocabulary and ideas to help you understand the essay’s themes and language more deeply.

Part 1: Vocabulary and Collocations

Below are 15 vocabulary words taken from or relevant to Mother Tongue. For each word or phrase, write a definition in your own words.

	Word / Collocation	Definition (Your Own Words)
	Mother tongue	A person’s first or native language learned from birth and spoken at home
	Linguistic	Related to language, its structure, and how it is used.
	Englishes	The different varieties or forms of English spoken around the world.
	Native language	The first language someone naturally learns growing up.
	Language barrier	A difficulty in communication caused by speaking different languages or different levels of proficiency.
	Broken English	English spoken with many grammar mistakes or limited vocabulary, often by non-native speakers.
	Fluent	Being able to speak or write a language smoothly and easily.
	Perception	The way something is understood, interpreted, or viewed by people.
	Stereotype	A simplified and often unfair generalization about a group of people.
	Cultural identity	A person’s sense of belonging to a particular culture or community.
	Language discrimination	Unfair treatment of people based on the way they speak or the language they use.
	Academic vs. informal language	Academic language is formal and used in school or professional settings, while informal language is casual and used in everyday conversation.

Part 2: Pre-Reading Questions

Answer the following in a few sentences each:

1. What do you think the phrase “mother tongue” means beyond just language?

Mother tongue may not merely imply a first language, it may be the culture of a person, their family principles, and their identity. Mother tongue is not just verbal and grammatical, it contains emotional attachments, family heritage.

2. Have you ever had to explain or translate something for a family member or friend? What was that experience like?

Yes, I was translating information to a relative that was not very well conversant with English. It was a huge responsibility in that I was expected to ensure they comprehended everything yet it was also a source of pride to help them through a circumstance that they were struggling with.

3. Do you think the way someone speaks English can affect how others treat them? Why or why not?

Yes, it can. Accent or grammar are often judged by people, who may base their assumption on intelligence or ability through speech only. The result of this is that one can be unfairly treated or stereotyped, but being able to speak differently does not make the person more knowledgeable or worthless.

4. Why might someone feel embarrassed or proud of the way their family speaks a language?

It is possible that someone may become ashamed when their speech in the family is criticized because it is broken or incorrect. Conversely, they may be proud that the way their family speaks is an expression of their culture and strength and a sense of belonging to their background.

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Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Step-by-Step Guide: Pre-Reading Assignment for Amy Tan’s “Mother Tongue

Step 1: Understand the Objective

• The goal is to prepare for reading Amy Tan’s essay Mother Tongue by familiarizing yourself with key vocabulary and ideas.

• Recognize that the essay explores language, identity, culture, and perception.

Step 2: Vocabulary and Collocations

• Review the 15 provided vocabulary words.

• Write definitions in your own words. Focus on understanding each term and its relevance to the essay’s themes.

• Example structure:

  • Mother tongue: A person’s first or native language learned from birth, reflecting culture and family identity.

  • Linguistic: Related to language, its rules, and usage.

  • Continue this process for all words, including terms like Englishes, broken English, fluent, stereotype, and cultural identity.

Step 3: Connect Vocabulary to Themes

• For each word, consider how it might relate to the essay:

  • Language barrier → challenges in understanding or being understood.

  • Language discrimination → how speech influences perceptions and treatment.

  • Academic vs. informal language → differences between formal and casual communication.

Step 4: Answer Pre-Reading Questions

• Reflect on personal experiences and opinions to answer the questions thoughtfully:

  1. Meaning of “mother tongue” beyond language: Consider emotional, cultural, and familial significance.

  2. Experience explaining or translating: Think about responsibility, pride, or challenge.

  3. Impact of English proficiency on treatment: Consider how accents or grammar influence perceptions.

  4. Embarrassment or pride in family speech: Reflect on cultural identity and societal judgment.

Step 5: Organize Your Responses

• Write your answers in complete sentences and coherent paragraphs.

• Keep responses personal but analytical, connecting them to broader social and cultural ideas.

Step 6: Review and Edit

• Check clarity, grammar, and punctuation.

• Ensure your answers reflect thoughtful engagement with vocabulary and concepts.

• Verify that your reflections connect back to language, culture, and identity.

Step 7: Additional Resources for Students

• Amy Tan Biography – The New York Times

• Understanding “Mother Tongue” – Literary Devices

• Vocabulary Learning Strategies – Purdue OWL

• APA Citation Guide for Essays

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