Black Child's Language example essay topic

"Oppressive Forces " Amy Tan's "Mother Tongue" and James Baldwin's "If Black English Isn't a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is?" discusses the power in language and how it is defined as a tool for communication but is used to shape people's perception of others. Both Tan and Baldwin state that language is used as an oppressive force that doesn't properly acknowledge minorities and the lack of proficiency in "standard" English doesn't allow them to participate with society equally. Within Baldwin's essay he makes it clear that the black community is not accepted because of the language in which they speak. It isn't the fault of the language but the role in which society refuses to acknowledge their history. He states, "It is not the black child's language that is despised.

It is his experience". (pg 534) He is arguing that the reason Black English is looked past as being a language is not because of what he or she is says but what he or she represents. Language is directly linked to culture, refusing a language directly dishonors its culture. Baldwin argues that no matter what people say, they are judged on the way they speak. He firmly states, "Language, incontestably, reveals the speaker". (pg. 532) This further explains the fact that the Black community is seen as unequal because of this barrier in unacceptable tongue.

The word black itself is negatively correlated throughout language. For example blacklist, black humor, black hole, black cat, blackmailed, and the black market just to name a few. Each of these phrases holds negative imagery directly connected to the word black further oppressing the black community. Likewise in Tan's essay she explains how she herself unfairly treated her mother because of the way she spoke. She remorsefully admits that at a certain point in her life she viewed her mother differently because of her "broken" English.

She states, "I believed that her English reflected the quality of what she had to say". (pg 70) This shows how even a daughter's perception may be altered because her mother does not speak the language Tan was taught throughout American schools as being acceptable and "normal". For example, when going to visit a doctor or hospital there are numerous doctors with various different backgrounds. When speaking to a doctor of American decent he or she is taken more seriously and viewed as a smart and distinguished individual. When a majority of people speak to a doctor with a native tongue, these doctors are viewed as less desirable and there abilities discredited.

This scenario is also true reversed. Trans Perfect Translations' (2003) performed a study on language barriers within doctor and patient relationships. Their study shows "that 47% of Spanish speaking patients have described a bad experience because of a language barrier and 9% had trouble determining the meaning of before, with, or after their meals". (Trans Perfect Translations', 2003) This proves how doctors do not take the steps in making sure every patient is treated equally and clearly understands what they need to do before the visit is over. When language is used as an oppressive force it limits ones ability to function within a society. Baldwin argues that in order to survive one must adapt to the "common" language in order to "confront life" and "outwit death". (pg 532) He believes that this adaptation strips blacks of there self.

He states, "The price for this acceptance, and achievement, of one's temporal identity". (pg 532) This deterioration of character limits ones view of the world. How can he or she happily function among a society that does not value who they really are? The black child at a young age is forced into an unknown by feeling inadequate about his identity. Baldwin (1979) detests: A child cannot be taught by anyone whose demand, essentially, is that the child repudiate his experience, and all that gives him sustenance, and enter a limbo in which he will no longer be black, and in which he knows he can never become white. (pg 534) Segregation was supposedly put to rest years ago, but it's stench still lingers throughout the acceptance of Black English, and still limiting blacks there right to equally participate in society. Tan was also very clear on her mother's inability to participate fairly with society.

She detested that her mother was marked as speaking "broken" or "limited" English. She believed both these words to be undesirable labels because, .".. they seemed just as bad, as if everything is limited, including people's perceptions of the limited English speaker". (pg 70) This was apparent when her mother was treated with disregard when speaking to companies herself and given respect when her daughter posed as her. The demand of the "proper" English was what got the point across and the necessary steps fulfilled. She is not given credit for her knowledge because her lack of proficiency in "standard" English. Not only is her intentions lost within the translation but so is the respect she deserves as a part of a society that identifies itself as a melting pot. Both Tan and Baldwin express there concern with the way society treats people whom are not considered the "norm".

Both specific cases deal with the disproportionate and discredited cultures due to language. If Baldwin is right in saying that language reveals the speaker, then the messages being sent to those who are not fluent in "standard" English is that they are not normal. Language forms our realities. If there is only one correct way of speaking then this diverse melting pot is a shameless facade.

If there is a true respect for cultural diversity, then there should be no such thing as speaking or writing correctly.