Question

In 'Mother Tongue,' how does Amy Tan's reflection on her mother's English challenge societal perceptions of intelligence?
・By proving that her mother speaks perfect English.
・By emphasizing the need for standardized English.
・By showing that her mother is uneducated.
・By arguing that language proficiency is unrelated to intelligence.

Answer 1

In "Mother Tongue," Amy Tan's reflection on her mother's English challenges societal perceptions of intelligence by **arguing that language proficiency is unrelated to intelligence**. Tan illustrates how her mother's way of speaking—often dismissed as "broken" or "limited" English—does not reflect her intelligence or the depth of her understanding. Instead, Tan emphasizes that her mother is highly perceptive, wise, and capable, despite societal biases that equate language fluency with intellectual capability. This perspective invites readers to reconsider their assumptions about language and intelligence.