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Search For My TongueSearch For My Tongue

Poems from Different CulturesPoems from Different Cultures

Slide Contents

AuthorAuthor

What is it About?What is it About?

StructureStructure

LanguageLanguage

Examination PreparationExamination Preparation

LinksLinks

The The AuthorAuthor

Sujata BhattSujata BhattSujata Bhatt was born in 1956 in India but later lived in the USA and Germany. She writes in both English and Gujarati, which she describes as her ‘mother tongue’. This poem was written when she was at university in America. She was worried she might forget her original language. She writes about being stuck between two cultures: "I have always thought of myself as an Indian who is outside India."

What is it What is it About?About?

Search For My TongueSearch For My TongueClick the link below for a reading of the poem:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english/poemscult/searchrev2.shtml

Tongue TiedThink about the word tongue. It can have a number of

different meanings. Brainstorm as many meanings of the word as you can think of.

Tongue TiedDid you consider the following meanings?

a part of the body

the language that you speak

tongue-tied

Lost your tongue

What Happens?

Lines What is happening?

1 - 15 The poet explains that she is fluent in two languages. She uses the image of having “two tongues in your mouth” to

convey the idea.

16 - 30

31 - 38

Search For My Tongue explores the conflict between the poet’s ‘mother tongue’ and the foreign language she also uses. There are three main parts to the poem but do you know what they are? The first one has been done for you

What Happens?

Lines What is happening?

1 - 15 The poet explains that she is fluent in two languages but she is worried that

she might lose her mother tongue.

16 - 30 When she dreams it is in her mother tongue (this section is written in

Gujarati – the poet’s mother tongue).

31 - 38 She describes how her mother tongue ‘grows back’ just when she thinks she

has lost it.

Search For My Tongue explores the conflict between the poet’s ‘mother tongue’ and the foreign language she also uses. There are three main parts to the poem but do you know what they are? The first one has been done for you

StructureStructure

StructureStructureAs we have seen the poem is written in three sections. In the first part Sujata Bhatt explains how difficult it is to speak two languages and conveys her fear that she may forget the language she grew up with. In the middle section (the centre of the conflict) she writes these ideas in Gujarati (lines 17 – 30). Then in the third section she translates these thoughts into English (lines 17-30). Here she concludes that that although her 'mother tongue' dies during the day, it 'grows back' in her dreams at night, remaining strong, healthy and robust.

LanguageLanguage

ImageryImageryIn Search For My Tongue Sujata Bhatt says that knowing two languages is like having 'two tongues in your mouth’.

The poet uses an extended metaphor to express her thoughts and feelings about speaking two languages. In the third section she compares her tongue to a plant.

Why is this an effective image?

ImageryLook at the following images from the poem.

What effect do the images create?

ImageImage Effect createdEffect created

'would rot / rot and die'

'it grows back'

'grows strong veins'

‘it blossoms out of my mouth’

ImageryLook at the following images from the poem.

What effect do the images create?

ImageImage Effect createdEffect created

'would rot / rot and die in your mouth'

Horrible image conveys her fear and horror at the thought of losing her mother tongue

'it grows back' The tongue is like a growing plant

'grows strong veins' Sounds strong, healthy and robust

‘it blossoms out of my mouth’

Image of beauty - the plant bursts into flower

Why compare the tongue to a Why compare the tongue to a plant?plant?

A plant is a living organism which needs nurturing like the poet’s original language. Plants die in the wrong environment – Sujata Bhatt wrote this poem when she was living in the USA, where she spoke and wrote English the majority of the time, this environment made her fear that she would forget her mother tongue.Like a plant she thinks that her mother tongue will die of neglect but it starts to bud and grow strong and beautiful ('blossoms') again.

Poetic Techniques

TechniqueTechnique DefinitionDefinition

Metaphor the act or process of saying or writing something again

Personal pronouns A figure of speech not meant literally

Repetition attributing human qualities to objects

personification a word that substitutes for a noun or a noun phrase, e.g. 'I', 'you

Match the technique with the correct definition.

Poetic Techniques

TechniqueTechnique DefinitionDefinition

Metaphor the act or process of saying or writing something again

Personal pronouns A figure of speech not meant literally

Repetition attributing human qualities to objects

personification a word that substitutes for a noun or a noun phrase, e.g. 'I', 'you’

Match the technique with the correct definition.

Poetic TechniquesThink about the poetic techniques discussed on the

last slide. Copy down the chart below. Find examples in the poem and write down the effect created.

Technique Evidence Effectmetaphor Rot and

die in your mouth

Horrible image conveys her fear and horror at the thought of losing her mother tongue

Personification

pronouns

repetition

Feelings and Feelings and AttitudesAttitudesThe poet tries to make the reader understand what it is like to fear losing your mother tongue. The fear of the loss of her first language represents a anxiety about losing her Indian identity. She is concerned that she is caught between two cultures. However the poem ends happily when she realises that her mother tongue won’t die away but will always be a part of her.

ExaminatiExaminationon

PreparatioPreparationn

The Examination PaperThe Examination Paper

• You will have 45 minutes to answer the question.

• You will be asked to compare two poems.• You should begin by annotating the question

for the key words. This will help you to understand what you are being asked to do.

E.g. Compare Search For My Tongue with one other poem, showing how the poets reveal ideas and feelings about their identity.

PlanningPlanning• Spend between 5 and 10 minutes

making a plan. This will help you to order your essay logically.

• Make a note of any key ideas you are going to include.

• Leave at least 5 minutes at the end to read through your work and check for any basic errors.

StructureStructureA good answer should:

• Write in paragraphs. • Don’t forget to P.E.E! Using a range of quotes

that are properly embedded within your answer.

• Begin with an introduction and end with a conclusion.

The main body of the essay should follow these five steps to make a good answer:

• Write a bit about the theme• Compare the structures of each poem• Compare the use of language in each poem• Compare the feelings of the poets• Write about how the poems make you feel.

Making ConnectionsMaking Connections

Similarity Similarity ConnectivesConnectives

• Equally• In the same way• Similarly• Likewise• Just as…also

Contrast Contrast ConnectivesConnectives

• In contrast• However• Whereas (best

used in the middle of a sentence)

• On the other hand

Use a series of comparisons, using connectives to link ideas, both within paragraphs and between paragraphs.

Refer back to the question repeating the key words from it.

AnalysisAnalysisUse the following words to link your Point -> Evidence -> Explain sentences. The use of these words will also help to ensure that your response is analytical.

suggestssuggestsimpliesimplies

gives the impression thatgives the impression thatshowsshows

highlightshighlightsindicatesindicates

To make the same point using a different example, try one of these:

furthersfurthersemphasisesemphasisesreinforcesreinforces

RecapRecap1. When you are comparing poems you will be

asked to look for the similaritiessimilarities and the differencesdifferences.

2. You should comment on the languagelanguage they use. What poetic devicespoetic devices are present? Imagery, similes, metaphors, alliteration, onomatopoeia, personification, rhyme etc. What effect do they have on the What effect do they have on the readerreader?

3. You will need to comment on the structurestructure of the poems. How are they set out? Does Does this add to their overall this add to their overall effect/meaning?effect/meaning?

4. Consider the tonetone of the poems. What mood has the author created?

LinksLinks

Useful StuffUseful Stuff

BBC Bitesize Poems From Other Cultures:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english/poemscult/searchrev1.shtml

Brief Biography and additional links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sujata_Bhatt