Mother Tongue written by Amy Tan, published in 1990 by The Threepenny Review is an essay about the author’s relationship with language, coming from an immigrant family.  There is a clear connection between language and one’s identity and language being a cultural vehicle in an immigrant experience.

In Mother tongue, Tan describes the different versions of English she speaks, demonstrates communication issues growing up in an immigrant family, and Tan argues that intelligence should not be judged based on someone’s ability to speak English fluently. Tan uses personal anecdotes of her and her mother’s life to show this. She also explains how growing up in an immigrant family inspired her to write stories.

There is an evident connection between language and one’s identity, the judgment imposed by society on someone who doesn’t speak English “properly”, and the societal and personal perception of English. However, digging deep into language and one’s identity there is a clear correlation. From the moment a person is born, to the moment they die, language is prevalent. Language has, for the most part, stood the test of time. Cultures all over the world have languages and dialects, it would take forever to count. Language is integrated in the human brain so it would be correct to assume, solely on that, there is a correlation between language and identity. However, a question arises from this. That question is why? Why does culture have a connection to language? Culture impacts identity because it’s what one grows up with, it’s from their family, it’s tradition, norms, customs, it’s what is learned and is passed down. Culture has  a connection to language because the latter is, also, what is learned and passed down among generations. Language and culture are so deeply ingrained with one and other, it’s near impossible to have one without the other. Tan demonstrates this by writing, “I think my mother’s English almost had an effect on limiting my possibilities in life as well. Sociologists and linguists probably will tell you that a person’s developing language skills are more influenced by peers, but I do think that the language spoken in the family, especially in immigrant families which are more insular, plays a large role in shaping the language of the child.” In this quote, Tan exemplifies how the connection between culture and language is apparent and how it was applicable in her life. Tan is reflecting on her perception of language, which was shaped by her mother’s culture. Within this quote, Tan is showing how her culture was inherited through her language.

Staying within the realm of culture, when someone immigrates to a new country, they have to adapt to the language and culture of their new home. This adaptation is not easy. English is notably very hard to learn. Thus, new immigrants to America have to learn the language and culture all while preserving and teaching their children their native language and culture. Going back to why there is a connection between language and identity, language is the vehicle for self expression and culture, making it a vital part of the human experience. Tan states, “I cannot give you much more than personal opinions on the English language and its variations in this country or others. I can offer stories of what it means to me, what it can do, and how it influences possibilities. I am a writer. And by that definition, I am someone who has always loved language. I am fascinated by language in daily life. I spend a great deal of my time thinking about the power of language — the way it can evoke an emotion, a visual image, a complex idea, or a simple truth.” Tan expresses her language being her own cultural vehicle, it helped her become a writer and express her feelings and ideas. Without language, Tan would not be able to express herself.

Language has a connection to identity and is a cultural vehicle for self expression. The relationship between culture and identity is evident, especially in an immigrant context. Culture and language are intertwined with one another and are deeply personal aspects of one’s life. Language and identity have a connection to each other, while language is  also a cultural vehicle for self expression.