English is the most widely spoken language in the United States. Everyone resorts to English as the natural method of communication and not knowing how to speak the language can cause great difficulty in day to day life. The USA is also a country of various cultural and ethnic backgrounds ranging from all across the world; many people are not even from the country originally and immigrate from elsewhere. Although children of immigrants who grow up with an American education and around fluent speakers seem to have no problem picking up English, parents find it challenging. The English they speak sounds different than standard English and is frustrating to fluent speakers. This should not be the case as their low exposure to English previously is a disadvantage. They try their best with the limited English knowledge they have to form comprehensible sentences. The way in which one speaks English does not reveal their intelligence.

Amy Tan is an author who mostly writes stories pertaining to the Chinese American experience. As a Chinese American daughter of two Chinese immigrants, she is able to portray various themes such as mother-daughter relationships, search for self, and trauma. One such work is her short story “Mother Tongue”, which was published in 1990. The story shares Amy’s realization that the English her mother uses is not the same as the one she uses around others. There are many instances when this set back created struggles for them and Amy viewed the language barrier as a burden; however, she soon appreciates that her mother’s inability to speak decent English does not reveal many aspects of her mother that are important. Amy believes that her mother’s language ability does not change anything more than just the trouble of being understood. 

English is not the first language to many who are not originally from the United States. In an attempt to merge into society in areas such as employment or school, people learn English and speak to their maximum capacity. This English is not at the same level as one who has lived in the United States their entire life, which leads to confusion. The pain of communication leads natural English speakers to treat such people disrespectfully and unfairly due to the assumption that they are not smart. Amy Tan has seen such conduct first hand as her mother would compel her to “ask for information or even to complain and yell at people who had been rude to her” (Tan 2). Since her mother was aware that her speaking is unproductive, she makes her daughter talk on her behalf. In one instance, Mrs. Tan is furious that her stockbroker is late in sending a check. She makes Amy speak to him on the phone using standard English to convey her concern. Sending a check late is unacceptable and getting clarity on the situation makes sense. This would never happen with a person who could speak standard English, so there is clearly a bias against Amy’s mother. Mrs. Tan listens to Wall Street Week and converses with her stockbroker daily. It is clear that she is not naive and stays up to date about personal and general finances. She caught on that the stockbroker is not being honest and demands her money. Treating others as inferior will lead to being exposed and uncomfortable confrontation that can be easily avoided. 

Prejudice against those who cannot speak comprehensible English stems from the supposition that they are foolish, but they are sharper than they seem. This behavior is seen in various areas including places of high regards. Amy’s mother is at a hospital to inquire about her CAT scan that showed a brain tumor. A brain tumor is dangerous and seeking updates on this condition is ordinary. She was informed that the CAT scans were lost and that she would not be provided any more information until next time. Although it is plausible for a CAT scan to be lost, not assuring the patient that efforts will be made to retrieve it and not appreciating their time is intolerable. A hospital is a place where many go for hope; everyone should be treated with care. Mrs.Tan realizes that she is being handled poorly and asks her daughter for assistance. Amy “spoke in perfect English” (Tan 2); consequently, the staff promised her mother that the scans would be found and scheduled an appointment. This could have been done originally without Amy’s involvement. The hospital is clearly capable of giving the services Mrs. Tan seeks, but does not because she is unable to speak coherent English. Mrs. Tan is aware that no hospital can just let a patient leave with no answers and that a hospital has to search for a CAT scan if lost. She refused to leave until the situation was set right. If Amy went in place of her mother, she would have received all that she wanted with no issues. Although discrimination is unacceptable anywhere, it is especially sickening in a hospital.   

English enables easy communication and a fast flow of life. When this flow is disturbed due to someone who is unable to speak a high level of English, assumptions are quick to appear that the person in question is not intellectual. These individuals are seen lower than others and are treated as such. But the English language is not the basis to classify one as smart or dumb. Many can be quick in other subjects without needing English. People can also identify something is wrong in the way they are being managed. At the end of the day, the way in which one treats another is more telling of intelligence than how well you can speak a language.