Week 5: Reading Response 2

Kay Andrews
English
Week 5: Reading Response 2

TANNEN/Can We Talk?

5. What other role relationships inside and outside the family shape your identity and influence the way you use language?

My aunt and I have a relationship somewhat similar to a mother and daughter relationship, however, not as personal, but I may be incorrect. After my mother’s death in 1971, my three aunts gained roles above an aunt unbeknownst to me until my first child was born. I was told then that since my mother was not living, my aunts would be grandmothers on her behalf. This has been a rewarding experience, but not without heart ache. The same kind of digs and interaction expressed in Deborah Tennan’s experience is sobering. Now having grown children of my own, I can relate to what is being expressed in her writing.

The interaction and communication between mothers and fathers to their children is peculiar. There seems to be a different kind of bond between a mother and son, and father and daughter that sets a special kind of a relationship unlike a mother and daughter relationship or maybe even a father and son relationship. I am quick to allow my own son privileges that I wouldn’t let my daughter’s get away with. My relationship emotionally with my son and daughter are consciously separate. The tone I use and remarks or comments are totally different as well. I don’t know why I treat my son the way I do versus my daughters. Perhaps not clearly understanding the opposite sex in this sense makes it easier to deal with conversation.