English is a complicated language to say the least and not just because it originated from multiple different languages but because English around the world and throughout history is understood, written, and spoken differently. English can be changed in any way and still be considered English as long as it is understood. It has in fact slowly changed over time so, someone should not be judged or be treated differently just because they are not as good as speaking the English you are used to- neither should it negatively change your POV of the person since often times it is not their fault and it is difficult for them to be understood. I have been judged by my family and coworkers whether it is because I used the wrong word or the wrong way, it is funny, we laugh, and they call me ‘gringo’, but I accept criticism because they are helping me get it right with good intentions. I have seen people be treated differently and worse just because of their opinion and the way they speak. In Japanese and Spanish, there are many English words that are pronounced and spelled differently with an accent. For example, coffee is pronounced ‘コーヒー’ – ‘Kōhī’ in Japanese because there is no ‘f’ or original coffee word in Japanese. I heard from foreigners living in Japan that if you are trying to communicate in English to a Japanese person, they are less willing to speak the English they know and were taught in school and they get nervous because they might say something wrong. You can try to say a simple English word with a Spanish or Japanese accent and sometimes it works because there are so many foreign borrowed words in Japanese and some in Spanish, so languages are not just one way. 

First, my most favorable source: ‘Mother Tongue’ was first published in 1990, the short story appeared in The Threepenny Review, a literary magazine. It is a Rhetorical essay written by Amy Tan, born in Oakland, California. She is a Chinese American novelist, memoirist, and essayist. She earned a BA and an MA in English and linguistics from San Jose State University in San Jose, California. After completing her studies, Tan worked as a language development consultant and freelance writer for corporations. Mother Tongue is mainly about the English that Amy and her mom use and how it affects their life, how they were treated and people’s perception of them. She uses appeal to get the audience’s attention and uses oxymoron and anecdote to express her embarrassment and guiltiness, but loving attitude towards the ‘broken’ English language her mother uses. 

Since Amy learned to use the English most American people understand, she has had to help her mom is various situations because of how people will treat them differently. Amy understands her mother’s English perfectly while some cannot and even judge her mom for it, do not give her good service and act like they do not hear or understand her. “When the doctor finally called her daughter, me, who spoke in perfect English – lo and behold – we had assurances the cat scan would be found, promises that a conference call on Monday would be held, and apologies for any suffering my mom had gone through for a most regrettable mistake.” (Tan, 1990). This proves that people are affected by the notion that people who are not fluent in the English we are used to are less intelligent especially since it makes them sound less intelligent, and they might not use the same words or way of speaking. So, language is opinionated and subjective. She says, “But to me my mother’s English is perfectly clear, perfectly natural… Her language, as I hear it, is vivid, direct, full of observation and imagery.” (Tan, 1990) She also mentioned that English is hard so that is why many immigrants, including Asians do better in math and science because it is more precise and, in my opinion, has better opportunities. Amy did the opposite and continued to be an achieved writer because she was rebellious and liked the challenge of disproving assumptions. I would do the same if I were her because I hate it when people misunderstand or misjudge me. 

‘The Emergence of World Englishes’ will help me explore and prove my thesis because it talks about and proves that English around the world is not like the way many people in the US expect. So, it is then wrong to assume there is only one right way to speak English and it is impossible to make everyone speak standard English. Therefore, the many variations of it must be taught and accepted. Also to treat those with a different English worse is to punish someone for their uniqueness, limit your world view and assume they are not as smart as you just because of one little thing that can be improved on and helped. “…the spread of English has led to the pluralization or diversification of the language; it results in the birth of many new varieties of English… used in outer- and some expanding-circle countries are somewhat different from native-speaker norms… Thus, it is a myth to expect that when English is spoken by non-native speakers in a certain non-native context, it has to be pure English identical with the one spoken by a native speaker in England or America.” This means that many people believe the myth that English must be spoken the way that they are familiar with or else it is wrong and broken. Also, “Matsuda (2003) points out that limited exposure to varieties of English may cause learners to resist linguistic variations or form the ideas of confusion when they encounter different types of English uses and users in authentic contexts.” So, teaching world English helps familiarize people with it and make them less likely to do things like treat others differently because of it since they will not be as confused or overwhelmed by such a difference. 

A great article for the real world situation is ‘Why Can’t Immigrants Learn English’ helps me show how people like immigrants who are not good at speaking the English we are used to are judged, treated worse and how people have negative POV’s of them and how it is hard for immigrants to learn said language in the first place. “Immigrants who speak English earn more and are better accepted by Americans. But the U.S. fails to provide sufficient free English classes for newcomers. “Speak English!” can be one of the cruelest things for an immigrant to hear. It can sound simultaneously like a demand for instant assimilation, an accusation of disloyalty, and a presumption of stubbornness or ignorance. In some circles, the call for immigrants to speak English has fused with a call for less immigration in general, as though language differences are themselves offensive.” It is known that foreigners and immigrants are treated differently, and this quote proves that they can be treated worse. It is wrong because they were not taught or used to the same English and if it were the other way around the same thing could occur. 

People who are not as good as speaking a language the way most people are used to are judged, treated differently, and people have negative POV’s of them. Even though the language changes over time, no one speaks it perfectly, and that person’s intelligence is not directly correlated with how they use that language anyway. ‘Why can’t Immigrants Learn English’ is different from ‘The Emergence of world Englishes’ because it is mainly talking about the negative parts of having a different English, the limitations for people with these POV’s and the complications of the different treatment of immigrants because their lives can be improved if they learn English. “Immigrants who learn English improve both their earnings and their acceptance by other Americans. Most immigrants want to learn English, and immigration advocates think it should be easier for them to do so. Unfortunately, it’s extremely difficult for immigrants to find English classes that are affordable and accessible.” ‘The Emergence of World Englishes’ is about informing the reader on the interesting things English has accomplished, the causes and effects of its spread and what should be done in education because of its worldwide variation without positive or negative bias because it is in sociological terms. “Exposure to varieties of English is believed to help facilitate learners’ communication abilities when being confronted with diverse types of English uses and users (Matsuda, 2003). As Modiano (2009, p. 59) acknowledges: “An understanding of the diversity of English, for production as well as for comprehension, makes one a better communicator.”…Nurturing learners through these activities under the framework of world Englishes may help create a sense of tolerance of linguistic diversity as well as enrich learners’ linguistic repertoires when they cross-culturally interact with interlocutors…” 

To end off, English is a widely known and accepted language with many benefits for being fluent in, especially in the way it is spoken in your area. It does not matter because it is still considered English, and people should try their best to learn languages the best they can to live the best life. You are not less intelligent and should not be judged or treated worse than others because of the way you speak a language. English has changed throughout history and if it is understood it can be changed in any way. It has been so influential that other languages have English words that are said with an accent and sometimes different spelling. 

References 

Amy, T. (1990). Mother Tongue, The Threepenny Review 

https://www.umsl.edu/~alexanderjm/Mother%20Tongue%20by%20Tan.pdf

Naratip J., Adisa T. (2013) The Emergence of World Englishes: Implications for English language teaching, Department of Languages and Linguistics, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand 

http://www.ajssh.leena-luna.co.jp/AJSSHPDFs/Vol.2(2)/AJSSH2013(2.2-21).pdf 

Olga K. (2021) Why Can’t Immigrants Learn English, The Atlantic 

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2021/06/why-cant-immigrants-learn-english/619053