     For many centuries, English has been one of the most dominant languages in the world. In fact, it is the official language in over 60 countries and it is widely learned as a second language in many other countries. In the story, "Mother Tongue", the author Amy Tan talks about different "Englishes" she knows and talks, which made me recall about the different languages I grew up surrounded with. Considering that I speak four different languages I can relate to the story in numerous ways including how together with other non-native English, Spanish, Dutch, or Papiamento speakers, we are often unjustifiably stereotyped. Thus making me want to argue that just because none natives speak "limited" in whatever second or third language they speak, does not necessarily mean that the essence of what the person is trying to say is "broken"  (Tan 330).

     Tan writes specifically and exclusively on the English language, but the focus will be shifted to the main three languages spoken by me, which are Spanish, Dutch and English. 

Just like Tan's mother in the story, my mother also has had problems trying to solve several complication regarding whatever, simply because she cannot express herself and her concerns in her native language (which is Spanish). Employees then start asking her very slow and repetitive questions and then we know, being she is unable to express her thoughts as she wants- the conclusion is that her arguments are as lousy as the language she's trying to speak. This is also true when us Arubans travel to The Netherlands and go Around speaking Dutch. It is pernicious to say that as soon as the Duchies hear us speak with a different accent, they immediately ask in English: "are you from the Antilles?" Which is clear for us; we are being discriminated on the spot. For the Dutch, any individual that speaks Dutch with a slight different accent as theirs, you are automatically seen as inferior. 

     Even though these types of questions and comments may be thought as "genuine" they can be offensive to the ones making an effort to fit in linguistically. These accusations might sound slightly harsh on the native speakers, so it is fair to clarify that no one is being targeted or blamed at. This is just a generalization of some experiences lived by myself and fellow Arubans. 

     Judging upon the trajectory of this essay, it sounds as if being multilingual is a dreadful matter. Where as we can all agree that the positive aspects of being multilingual outweigh the negative aspects. Besides being able to communicate with a greater variety of people we can also understand more of their cultures better. We get to travel and speak the language with the native speakers. However, this is the ironic dual boundary and thus the need is felt to mention that we do have our insecurities. 

     Speaking in less drastic, more common academic manners, difficulties encountered by multilingual/foreigner student in the U.S often have the same traits. Again, not only speaking for myself but in representation of any student whose first language is not English. Traits such as: uncertainty regarding sentence structure, misconception on different ideals, word choice, and including getting stuck in a middle of a sentence seeking for the right word or translation. This can all become very overwhelming and intimidating, considering the desperation we feel when we cannot properly express ourselves the way we would do in our native language. Furthermore, the association Between Tan and myself is interesting. She claims "to be rebellious in nature and enjoys the challenge of disproving assumptions made about her." She majored in English after being told by her advisor that writing was her worst skill (Tan 332). The association is felt in means that even though English happens to be my third language, my interests have shifted to majoring in American political science and U.S History. This will certainly not be an easy task, but the desire felt to write "wittily crafted sentences that will prove mastery over the English language" (Tan 332) is far beyond some weary conformist area of study. 

     In Venezuela they say that I am Aruban. In Aruba they say I am Venezuelan. In the Netherlands they question why we have Dutch passports and speak such lousy Dutch and in America they ask me where Aruba is located. However, the decision is mine to look at the positive aspects that truly outweigh the negative. In comparison with many individuals I am certainly fortuitous for being exposed to so many languages and cultures at a very young age. Nevertheless, my desires to overcome linguistic insecurities are substantial. 

     It has been challenging growing up without having one language that directly expresses me as a being. However, as Tan says, "the language spoken in the family plays a large role in shaping the language of the child" (Tan 331) is fairly well put. In my case, Spanish has been the only language spoken at home thus the reason it can be considered the number one language in my vocabulary. Considering that Papiamento falls under number two, whenever I speak English people tend to stereotype me as a "Sofia Vergara" or just another Latina. Whenever my English sounds limited, know that whatever point I am trying to prove or bring forward is not as limited or broken as the language may sound. If a non-native English speaker were to prove that same point in their native language, just then people would appreciate the content of whatever is trying to be said. 

