Tongue Shakers

Interviews and Narratives on Speaking Mother Tongue in a Multicultural Society

Margie Shaheed

Tongue Shakers provides an inside look into the state of speaking mother tongue in America’s multicultural society. Through a series of interviews and first person narratives in the voices of city dwellers who are immigrants, Americans born into immigrant families, and African Americans, the book uncovers the personal challenges faced by those learning a new language and celebrates their triumphs.

In Tongue Shakers, spoken language, a subject that binds us all, takes on different meanings as we strive to communicate organically with one another. It is the Ukrainian healthcare professional who works as a translator between doctors and patients. It is the Ethiopian business executive mom who speaks and writes fluent English at her job but who works just as hard keeping her mother tongue alive in her home. It is the little Chinese boy who struggles to learn English so that he can make friends with other children in his new American school. It is the African American who must carefully pick and choose when it is best to speak Black English. It is the Hispanic family who retains their mother tongue while being just as fluent in English.

Hamilton Books

Pages: 114 • Trim: 6 x 9

978-0-7618-6805-7 • Paperback • December 2016 • $39.99 • (£30.00)

978-0-7618-6806-4 • eBook • December 2016 • $38.00 • (£30.00)

Subjects: Language Arts & Disciplines / Communication Studies, Foreign Language Study / English as a Second Language, Social Science / Emigration & Immigration, Social Science / Ethnic Studies / General, Social Science / Women's Studies

Tongue Shakers

Interviews and Narratives on Speaking Mother Tongue in a Multicultural Society

Paperback

eBook

Summary

Tongue Shakers provides an inside look into the state of speaking mother tongue in America’s multicultural society. Through a series of interviews and first person narratives in the voices of city dwellers who are immigrants, Americans born into immigrant families, and African Americans, the book uncovers the personal challenges faced by those learning a new language and celebrates their triumphs.

In Tongue Shakers, spoken language, a subject that binds us all, takes on different meanings as we strive to communicate organically with one another. It is the Ukrainian healthcare professional who works as a translator between doctors and patients. It is the Ethiopian business executive mom who speaks and writes fluent English at her job but who works just as hard keeping her mother tongue alive in her home. It is the little Chinese boy who struggles to learn English so that he can make friends with other children in his new American school. It is the African American who must carefully pick and choose when it is best to speak Black English. It is the Hispanic family who retains their mother tongue while being just as fluent in English.

Details

Hamilton Books

Pages: 114 • Trim: 6 x 9

978-0-7618-6805-7 • Paperback • December 2016 • $39.99 • (£30.00)

978-0-7618-6806-4 • eBook • December 2016 • $38.00 • (£30.00)

Subjects: Language Arts & Disciplines / Communication Studies, Foreign Language Study / English as a Second Language, Social Science / Emigration & Immigration, Social Science / Ethnic Studies / General, Social Science / Women's Studies

Author

Margie Shaheed is a poet, writer and teaching artist. Her poetry chapbooks include Playground (Hidden Charm Press, 2015), Onomonopeoia (NightBallet Press, 2015) and Mosaic (NightBallet Press, 2013).

Table of Contents

Introduction
Acknowledgements
Section 1—Mother Tongue Coming to America
Section 2—Mother Tongue American Style
References
Appendix A: Poems
Appendix B: Interview Questionnaire Guides
Index

Reviews

The timeliness of this collection is part of its appeal. Immigration has moved from a vital part of our modern society to a political talking point. Hearing the real voices of people who struggle to simultaneously blend in while holding onto tradition and language is both sobering and important.... This book provides us with a glimpse into the richness of language and the ways in which it continues to impact our culture.
— Mom Egg Review

While Shaheed takes time to concisely describe her method and process. . .the book never loses its center--the amazing stories of survival, success, and resilience and the ways language and culture are inextricably connected. Nina L., an interviewee in the book, says it best: "I believe young people should be exposed to as many languages and cultures as possible, and that would help make a better, more compassionate world. Getting people to open their eyes to difference, [to] embrace it, expands our comfort zone. We don't lose, we gain" (70). Amen.
— Ohioana Quarterly