Question

Read the excerpt from Amy Tan’s essay “Mother Tongue.”

I know this for a fact, because when I was growing up, my mother’s “limited” English limited my perception of her. I was ashamed of her English. I believed that her English reflected the quality of what she had to say. That is, because she expressed them imperfectly her thoughts were imperfect.

Which word best describes Tan’s language in this excerpt?
academic
authoritative
conversational
playful

Answer 1

Conversational.

The passage uses first-person reflection, everyday language, and a candid, informal tone rather than formal academic wording, commanding authority, or playful humor.