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Xi Wen Deng Professor Collin Ludlow-Mattson ENG 114/Fall 2013 November 08, 2013 The Power and Functions of Code-Switching I always believed that the environment is what determines a persons personality and qualities, both good and bad. Language and culture can exclusively influence the growth and values of an individual. In reality, the majority of people in society use code-switching as a part of their daily life in terms of language, social, or cultural context. In my own words, code-switching is the different versions or ways of speaking when we interact with different people from various identities. In this critical essay, I will be connecting two readings by Sherman Alexie and Amy Tan. I will be discussing the connections of how the two authors apply the concept of code-switching and how these applications relate to each other. Sherman Alexies The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian and Amy Tans Mother Tongue both illuminate the idea of code-switching and how culture and language plays an important role in shaping the character and qualities of an individual.

In the story Mother Tongue, Tan uses code-switching in which she demonstrates the types of languages that she would use to properly represent her character when she interacts with different identities. Tan practices the different forms of English that she grew up with, whether it is with her mother or with professionals. Indeed, she established her values,

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attitudes, and beliefs through the attainment of these languages. Tan is more conscious and alert of her words when speaking in front of a large group of professionals in which she presents more formally and grammatically in a professional setting. When Tan was speaking in front of a large group, she would use language such as, the intersection of memory and imagination (Tan 272). On the other hand, when speaking with her mother, she uses limited English that is only with her mother, which is more appropriate and acceptable in that situation. When Tan was speaking with her mother along with her husband, she would use language such as, "Not waste money that way" (Tan 272). What Tan means by this is that she is also mindful with the language that she uses with her mother. However, Tan uses broken language when discussing with her mother because it is more suitable and comprehensible in that context. As Tan was growing up, she had to make phone calls and pretend to be her mother and speak prefect English. Her mother would be standing in the back telling Tan what to say like, Why he dont send me check, already two weeks late. So mad he lie to me, losing me money (Tan 274). Tan would then say the same thing but in perfect English like, Yes, I am getting rather concerned. You had agreed to send the check two weeks ago, but it hasnt arrived (Tan 275). Tan states that she would be ashamed of her mothers English. Because of her mothers imperfect English, her mother didnt get treated with the same quality service and respect that she supposedly deserves in many circumstances. Tan emphasizes that, But to me, my mothers English is perfectly clear, perfectly natural. Its my mother tongue. Her language, as I hear it, is vivid, direct, full of observation and imagery. That was the language that helped shape the way I saw things, expressed things, made sense of the world (Tan 273). What Tan means by this is that her mothers English is the kind of language that has shaped her understanding and perception of the world. To others, her

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mothers English may seem confusing and obscure. Yet to Tan, her mothers English appears to be perfectly clear, natural, and meaningful. Tan is accustomed to the type of English that is adopted in between her and her mother. That is her mother tongue, the type of English that is created just for Tan and her mother. Amy Tans Mother Tongue will be connected to Sherman Alexies The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by examining code-switching in different languages and culture. In the novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian, Alexie represents himself through the protagonist Arnold Spirit Junior in two completely opposite worlds: Indian and non-Indian. Arnold served as a part-time Indian while he was in Reardan and he served as a part-time White while he was in Wellpinit. That is Arnolds way of code-switching. The unique world that holds both Indian and non-Indian together is Alexies character, tolerance, and dedication in striving for better and not giving up. Arnold was born in a Spokane Indian reservation with limited opportunities and resources. Arnold lived a life in poverty: empty stomach, alcoholic parents, and no hope. Arnold mentioned that, It sucks to be poor. Seriously, I know my mother and father had their dreams when they were kids. They dreamed about being something other than poor, but they never got the chance to be anything because nobody paid attention to their dreams (Alexie 11). Arnold refused to quit and give up unlike everyone else on the reservation; he had dreams that he wanted to accomplish. Mr. P noticed that Arnold is the only one on the reservation that refused to give up because he threw the age-old geometry book at him. Mr. P told Arnold that, If you stay on the rez, theyre to going to kill you, Im going to kill you. Were all going to kill you. You cant fight us forever (Alexie 43). What Alexie means by this is that Arnold needs to leave the reservation in order to find his way of survival. If he stays on the reservation, he is waiting to

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get killed. Mr. P encourages him to leave the reservation to discover his hopes somewhere else where other people have hopes.

Arnold plays the role of an Indian because that is his culture and background and where he is from. He associates with the non-Indian world because that is where he seeks for his hopes and opportunities to a bright and successful future. Observing the poverty and deaths around the reservation, Arnold didnt want to be the next Indian that dies from the same epidemic cause: alcoholism. Arnold wanted more than the typical expectations for the life of an Indian boy. Arnold wanted to escape poverty and become an educated Indian in order to survive in his society. As a result, he left the reservations to attend an all White school to seek for more opportunities and hope. Arnold started to earn respect from his classmates at Reardan as opposed to being bullied on the reservation. Arnold states that, My name is Junior. And my name is Arnold. Its Junior and Arnold. Im both (Alexie 60). What Alexie means by this is to distinguish the difference between the two completely different worlds: Indian and non-Indian. Arnolds name is Arnold Spirit Junior. However, Arnold is commonly known by Junior around Indians in Wellpinit while he is known by Arnold around Whites in Reardan. Arnold mentioned that, I felt like two different people inside of one body (Alexie 61). What Alexie means in this quote is that Arnold interconnects partially with Indian and partially with non-Indian (White) worlds. I am fourteen years old and Ive been to forty-two funerals. Thats really the biggest difference between Indians and White people. In the community of Wellpinit, everyone is related, everyone is valued, everyone lives a hardscrabble life, everyone is at risk for early death, and the loss of one person is a loss to the community (Alexie 199). As an Indian, Arnold attended far more funerals more than anyone else at Reardan. Arnold realized that poor Indians have cultural traditions such

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as powwows and Indians always stay together whereas wealthy Whites are distanced and detached from each other.

I agree with the points I argue that the texts are making because code-switching in multiple languages and cultures assemble the author in which it impacts on who they are personally, socially, and mentally. As a reader, I can relate to Tans story because I also come from a Chinese Immigrant family. Growing up, I had to help out my mother by pretending to be her because of her incapability to speak proper and fluent English just like how Tan has help her mother. Ive experienced three different types of code-switching on a daily basis in my life: parents and elderly, teachers and bosses, and friends. The first type is the form of language that I used with parents and elderly. When speaking with parents and elderly, I spontaneously speak Chinese in a respectful manner. The second type is the form of language that I used with teachers and bosses in a professional setting. When speaking with teachers and bosses, I tend to speak more formally and attentively. The third type is the form of language that I used with friends and classmates. When speaking with friends and classmates, I feel more comfortable and unaware of my grammars and language that I am using. I can also relate to Alexies story because I am also half-Chinese and half-American. I considered both China and the United States my two hometowns. I was born in China and I immigrated to the United States with my family in search for the American dream and a better education and lifestyle. I respect and celebrate both Chinese and American cultures, traditions, and language. I belonged to the communities of two different worlds just like how Alexie belong to the communities of Indian and White. I believe my character is constructed through the combination of these different identities.

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Sherman Alexies The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian and Amy Tans Mother Tongue both illustrate the idea of code-switching and how culture and language plays a fundamental role in shaping the character and qualities of an individual on life experiences. In the story Mother Tongue, Tan utilizes code-switching in which she highlights the types of languages that she would use when she interacts with different identities. In the novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian, Alexie represents his own life experience through the protagonist Arnold Spirit Junior in two completely opposite worlds: Indian and non-Indian. Many peoples dimensions including intellectual, environmental, mental, emotional, spiritual, physical, and social behaviors will be affected in relation to their different code-switching identities. People use the concept of code-switching in different forms of languages to properly represent their character among different identities, whether it is racial or gender or social class.

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Works Cited Tan, Amy. Mother Tongue. The Opposite of Fate: A Book of Musings. New York: G.P. Putnams Sons, 2003. 271-79. Print. Alexie, Sherman. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian. New York: Little Brown, 2007. Print.