Mother Tongue and Newman

Those who immigrate into the United States from other countries are encouraged to adapt to the culture of the majority population, namely white males of European descent. Language is the component of culture which is first targeted by those who try to force assimilation. When a person comes to the United States, they will feel compelled to learn English and be able to read and write in that language regardless of what language is their first. Those that do not assimilate to the American cultural perspective are made to feel like outsiders, as if they do not belong. In three articles, "Mother Tongue, "One Nation, Indivisible: Is it History?," and "Newman Student's Speech in Spanish Sparks Criticism" each deals with the issue of language as a means of cultural assimilation.

Amy Tan's essay "Mother Tongue" describes the two different types of English that she uses in...
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