- Veritas Academics

Here are the instructions for the practice : Write an 750-1000 words answering this question, are you experiences similar to or different from Amy Tan's in "Mother Tongue?"

Have 5 paragraphs (and introduction, 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion).

Have your thesis ("my experiences are similar/ different") as the last sentence of the introduction.

Use the "burger method" for your body paragraphs. Have a topic sentence, the quote you chose from the article, an explanation of that quote, and then the example from your life. Be sure to explain how these experiences are either similar or different.

In your conclusion, summarize your main points.

I attached template

Pre-readingTan11.docx

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.