Here's how it plays out:
* English Spoken to Mothers: The daughters often use a simplified, sometimes even childish version of English when speaking to their mothers. This reflects the generational gap and the difficulty in bridging cultural differences. It also underlines the power dynamic, with the daughters feeling the need to accommodate their mothers' limited English proficiency.
* English Spoken with Each Other: When the daughters interact amongst themselves, they speak fluent, sophisticated English, reflecting their assimilation into American culture.
This code-switching:
* Emphasizes the cultural divide: The language differences serve as a constant reminder of the distinct experiences and perspectives of the mothers and daughters.
* Creates tension and misunderstanding: The daughters struggle to communicate their thoughts and feelings effectively to their mothers, leading to frustration and misinterpretations.
* Highlights the themes of identity and belonging: The daughters navigate their bicultural identities, trying to find their place between two worlds.
Tan's use of language in *The Joy Luck Club* is incredibly powerful, providing a nuanced and complex portrait of intergenerational communication and the struggle to understand one another across cultural and linguistic divides.