IndexPersuasive Techniques in the “Mother Tongue”EthosPathosLogosConclusionWorks CitedIs English really a singular language? While it may seem that way on the surface, the reality is much more complex. People around the world adopt distinct variations of English as their native language, shaping their unique perspectives and interactions with the language. In her essay "Mother Tongue," author Amy Tan gives readers a glimpse into her world of writing and her unwavering commitment to honing her knowledge of the English language. Using persuasive techniques such as pathos, ethos, and logos, Tan effectively argues that his native language played a significant role in improving his command of English and literature. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayPersuasive Techniques in “Native Speakers” EthicsAs an Asian American with a wealth of life experiences, Amy Tan establishes ethics in her essay by positioning herself as a credible writer. She candidly states, “I am not a scholar of English or literature… I am a writer,” a statement designed to earn the respect and trust of her readers. Additionally, Tan bolsters his credibility by discussing surveys that suggest Asian-American students often succumb to social pressures. She views her ethnic background as a limiting factor in life opportunities, saying that both she and other Asian-Americans who speak "broken" English at home face a predisposition that pulls them away from writing. He shares, “Teachers…are moving them away from writing and toward math and science, which is what happened to me.” Beyond the realm of ethics, Tan also draws on the emotional aspects of his experiences. Pathos Amy Tan takes an emotional approach to illuminate the injustices her mother often faced due to her imperfect command of English. She vividly describes the embarrassment she endured due to her mother's inability to speak fluent English. She recalls, "a lot of empirical evidence...: the fact that people in department stores and banks and restaurants didn't take her seriously, didn't provide her with good service, pretended not to understand her, and even acted as if they didn't 'had heard." After years of reflecting on her mother's struggles and her own emotions, Tan eventually comes to realize that she understands the essence of her mother's speech. He concludes with a heartfelt statement: “I wanted to capture what language ability tests could never reveal: his intent, his passion, his imagery, the rhythms of his speech, and the nature of his thoughts.” Tan's use of pathos effectively elicits empathy from the audience for his mother and those struggling with similar situations, as described in his essay. Logos Finally, Tan uses a logical strategy to provide evidence that her mother's ability to understand complex literature cannot be defined. from the "broken" English he uses to communicate. Tan's mother demonstrates her ability to understand people's "perfect" English and engage with sophisticated literature. Tan states, "...my mother's expressive command of English belies how much she actually understands. She reads the Forbes report, listens to Wall Street Week... [and] reads all of Shirley MacLaine's books with ease, every genre of things I can't understand." The rationale for this argument highlights an essential point that Tan seeks to convey: fluency in English and the ability to understand complex ideas can transcend linguistic limitations. Here.0261444811000309