Tongue Shakers: Interviews and Narratives on Speaking Mother Tongue in a Multicultural Society [Paperback]

Tongue Shakers provides an inside look into the state of speaking mother tongue in Americas 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.

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 lÃS