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Samuel Gonzalez
Professor Malvin
English 114A
September 23, 2015
Language
Is there really only one proper form of language someone can use to communicate to
someone else? In Mother Tongue by Amy Tan and Why and When We Speak Spanish in
Public by Myriam Marquez talks about different forms of language and why we choose these
different languages to communicate to different audiences. In Tans piece she gives multiple
examples of different English languages she used not only at school and at home with her parents
but in everyday life. In Marquezs piece she gives an explanation as to why she speaks a different
language to get the same message out she could have said in English. At my home I have had
similar experiences with my parents and myself.
There are many forms of English people use from slang to proper English. When talking
with my brother we use the language of our generation which is slang. But when I am in school I
use proper English like we were taught. Tan states that, And I use them all all the Englishes I
grew up with (479). This means that Tan grew up learning and speaking many different forms
of English. We use these different types of language for different occasions because it is what
best helps other people understand or even yourself understand.
Often, people tend to make up their own form of language that pertains within a certain
group or audience. Tan describes that, It has become our language of intimacy, a different sort

of English that relates to family talk, the language I grew up with (479). Within my family we
never called our grandmother grandma, we called her Tita. This was just a word we used in our
family and only we were the ones who understood it and why we called her that. To us, our form
of family talk had a meaning and purpose.
There is not one form of language that everybody in the universe knows how to speak.
Marquez states that, From its inception, this country was careful not to promote a governmentmandated official language (528). This means that the government did not choose any one
language as the permanent language of the country. In my family, my father doesnt know how to
speak English. Therefore, this comes to prove that not everybody in the United States of America
can speak English. This is significant because it means that any language can be used to
communicate. So why give a title that does not fit everybody.
People choose to speak in their own native languages because they feel more comfortable
speaking it. Marquez explains that, Its a matter of respect for our parents and comfort in our
cultural roots (528). This means that they feel comfortable speaking in their different language.
Tan states that, That was the language that helped shape the way I saw things, expressed things,
made sense of the world (480). This means that the language she used helped her view many
possibilities in life as well as help her make sense of this world. When I am out with my dad at a
restaurant, we speak Spanish because my dad feels most comfortable when speaking in his
cultural root. As for me, I speak to him in Spanish out of respect towards him. Like my dad, there
are many people out there that grew up learning a different language other than English. They
chose that language because it helped them get a better perspective of what is around them.

In my family we have our own way of speaking where every one of us can understand
each other. There are different types of language I grew up with like slang, Spanish, proper, and
family talk. There are multiple reasons as to why speak the way we do in different occasions.
There isnt a label on people that says how they are supposed to speak at all times. There is not
only one choice but many different possibilities and preferences out there for the taking. So I ask
you to explore your possibilities out there and find which forms work best with your groups or
family members. Most important of all find which one you feel comfortable speaking and helps
you better make sense of what is around you.

Work Cited
Marquez, Myriam. Why and When We Speak Spanish in Public. Models for Writers. 12th ed.
Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2015. 527-529. Print.
Tan, Amy. Mother Tongue. Models for Writers. 12th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins,
2015. 478-484. Print.

Dear Professor Malvin,

To begin writing this essay I read some short essays and chose the ones I was best able to
relate to. Meanwhile reading these essays, ideas about what I could write about would pop into
my head and I would jot them down on the margins of the essays. I also would highlight great
quotes I thought could make it the essay. Then, its straight to the computer and I start typing
what topic I think was the best for me. I go through a little trial and error here and there until I
get my finished product. I believe that my personal strength in essay writing is structure and
organization of my paper. But my weakness in essay writing is making my essay a long essay
and I run out of words to say. I hope to improve on making my essays longer in the future.
Sincerely,
Samuel Gonzalez