Question

central ideas

• \society unfairly judges people based on their ability to speak proper english.\
• \tan uses many different englishes in her writing.\

which of the following statements most accurately summarizes tan’s message in “mother tongue”?

• life as a nonnative speaker is difficult, but proper english can be learned.
• language rules are less important than the meaning and passion the speaker conveys.
• the rules of different languages are incompatible and ultimately meaningless.
• telling people that they speak “broken” english will encourage them to learn proper english.

done

Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, we analyze the central ideas of "Mother Tongue" and each option:

• The first option focuses on learning proper English, which isn't the main message of Tan's essay.
• The second option aligns with Tan's message: she emphasizes that the meaning and passion behind language (like her mother's "broken" English) matter more than strict language rules.
• The third option's claim about language rules being "incompatible and meaningless" is an overstatement and not Tan's message.
• The fourth option is incorrect as Tan critiques the judgment of "broken" English, not that such judgment encourages learning.

Answer:

B. Language rules are less important than the meaning and passion the speaker conveys.