“The ‘F Word’,” by Firoozeh Dumas & “The Gift of Language”, by Lan Cao Essay Example
“The ‘F Word’,” by Firoozeh Dumas & “The Gift of Language”, by Lan Cao Essay Example

“The ‘F Word’,” by Firoozeh Dumas & “The Gift of Language”, by Lan Cao Essay Example

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  • Pages: 3 (776 words)
  • Published: May 7, 2018
  • Type: Analysis
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In “The “F” Word” and “The Gift of Language”, Firoozeh Dumas and Lan Cao talk about their immigrant experiences when they moved from their native lands (Iran and Vietnam, respectively) to America. Dumas focuses on Americans’ reaction to her Iranian name while Cao shows how her transition was easier than that of her mother. Although Dumas and Cao have different points to prove, their methodologies are similar in some respects and their arguments are persuasive. Dumas attempts to prove that Americans are not open-minded to unfamiliar names, sounds, and pronunciations.

She confesses that she found it difficult to use her name because American children had trouble pronouncing it and ridiculed her. Consequently, she decided to adopt an American middle name. When she became a stay-at-home mother, Dumas changed her decision and resorted to her birth name after coming to the

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realization that she was not the problem but rather, Americans were because they had trouble adjusting to the culturally-diverse world. Cao tries to prove that moving to a foreign land involves a drastic change with some necessary adjustments.

For instance, Cao and her mother had to learn English, adapt to suburbia life, and know how to shop in a grocery store (Cao 615). Dumas uses humor to criticize Americans for their pronunciation weaknesses. For instance, she observes that “America would be a richer country if they could do a litter tongue aerobics and learn to pronounce more syllables” (605). In addition, Dumas criticize Americans’ tendency to Americanize people’s names. For instance, she applies American pronunciation to her family members’ names by taking their roots or prefixes and combining these with an insulting phrase.

For example, “Farshid” (which mean

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he who has insight) is transformed into “Farshit” (Dumas 605). Dumas also notes the way they shorten names like Susan and William to Sue and Bill, respectively. Moreover, Dumas employs a metaphor through which she compares Americans’ need to include additional syllables in their vocabulary to “adding a few new spices to the kitchen pantry” (Dumas 605). Like Dumas, Cao uses a metaphor to describe her learning experience. She compares the words of the English language to a “round stone, with the smoothness of something that had been rubbed and polished by the waves of a warm summer beach” (Cao 615).

She reveals that she had minimal difficulty comprehending and grasping the English language. Unlike Dumas, Cao employs imagery to demonstrate how shopping differed in American and Vietnamese cultures. She describes the high standards of neatness in American grocery stores. She observes that food is ““meticulously arranged into a pyramid” (Cao 615). Dumas’ argument is persuasive. She appeals to logic by demonstrating her claim using examples of Americanized names. The reader can understand the reason behind the Americanization of foreign names – so that Americans find them easier to pronounce.

Dumas also explains why she changed her name while in middle school. It was logical that she did so because with an American name, it would be easier to fit in with her peers. The metaphor that Dumas uses is appropriate to the claim that she makes regarding the need for Americans to become tolerant to diversity. It adds humor to her argument, keeping it lighthearted but at the same time, precise and direct. Dumas employs the pathos appeal when she points out her family’s response to

her decision to adopt a new name. She evokes the reader’s sympathy when she reveals that her family teased her.

The reader also sympathizes with Dumas when she mentions how employers discriminate against her because her name symbolizes an identity other than American. Cao’s argument is persuasive. She draws on logic by explaining that she has to assume a parental role to assist her mother to adjust to American culture. The reader comprehends that Cao finds the change easier to make than her mother does. Consequently, it is logical for both to switch roles. Cao’s use of ethos is also evident. The reader empathizes with Cao’s mother because she is unable to fulfill the parental role and is forced to rely on her daughter to cope with the transition.

Cao also evokes the reader’s empathy because she has to be responsible for herself and her mother. As this paper has argued, Dumas and Cao attempt to prove different ideas but some of their rhetorical devices are similar and they present convincing arguments. While Dumas examines Americans’ narrow-mindedness to foreign languages, Cao explores the changes that immigrants are compelled to make during the drastic transition to American culture. In addition to metaphors, Dumas employs humor and satire while Cao uses imagery. Their arguments are believable because they contain logical and emotional perspectives.

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