Literacy Narrative

In Amy Tan’s Mother Tongue, she discusses how she developed an understanding of the language through experiencing it in literature.  I find it interesting that she says she uses different language with her mother than with native-English speakers because she does not want to confuse her mother.  I do the same thing with my grandmother who is from India.  I find myself speaking slowly and using less complex syntax so that she can keep up.  It is funny that those close to her do not even notice the transition in her speaking because they are so used to it.  Something I find a little strange is the way that Tan mentions she understands her mother’s broken English as though she is speaking like everyone else.  I think that because her mother was so often misunderstood, Tan made it her goal to help her gain some acceptance and respect in society.  Nonetheless, Tan always stayed positive and eventually discovered her affinity for writing.