Language can Create Success Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Language can Create Success - Essay Example It can have a negative effect in that family members may feel embarrassed or ashamed by an individual’s use of poor English. Amy Tan clearly demonstrates this as she says that she was embarrassed by her mother’s broken English when she was young. She says that, â€Å"my mother's "limited" English limited my perception of her† (Tan). This means that she thought that her mother’s inability to speak English fluently also affected her thoughts. This is also a belief that is commonly held by many people. People tend to believe that an individual, who is unable to use proper English in a conversation, also bears limited thoughts and a closed perception. Tan echoes these sentiments when she says that she â€Å"believed her mother’s poor English reflected the quality of what she had to say† (Tan). People do not understand that individuals can express themselves poorly but bear intelligent perceptions and thoughts. Her relationship with her mother als o seemed to be affected by her poor English. Tan had to translate or speak for her mother so that people could understand or get a picture of what she was saying. She says that she used to argue with people on the phone while she was pretending to be her mother.Tan also recalls an incident when she was giving a speech on her work and she remembered that her mother was in the congregation.She had been used to talking to her in broken English and carefully selecting phrases that she could understand