1. Using dialect is one way that Amy Tan characterizes the mother. What does using dialéct reveal about Jing Mei's mother? *
(1 Point)
Jing Mei's mother was a poor student in school
Jing Mei's mother had to learn English as a second language later in life
Jing Mei's mother is stubborn about only speaking Chineses
Jing Mel's mother didn't try to learn English

Using dialect reveals the following about Jing Mei's mother:

B. Jing Mei's mother had to learn English as a second language later in life.

This question is about the short story "Two Kinds" by American author Amy Tan (born 1952). The main character is the young girl Jing Mei, whose mother is a Chinese immigrant.

The author purposefully uses dialect to portray the mother's speech. In literature, dialect is the representation of the way someone talks. It can be done by spelling the words differently to indicate pronunciation, for example. Let's see a quote from "Two Kinds" in which Jing Mei's mother is talking:

"Play note right, but doesn't sound good!" my mother complained "No singing sound."

Jing Mei's mother is capable of expressing herself and conveying the message she wishes to. However, she fails to use subjects and often mistakes one verb form for another. Tan makes a point of showing that to indicate that the character had to learn English as a second language later in life.

In conclusion, the mother uses the structure she is used to, the one she has spoken all her life. Her limitations are a sign that now, even though she can learn, it is harder for her to adapt completely to the structure of a new language.

Learn more about "Two Kinds" here: