How to Pronounce Knife is an excerpt from a short story written by Souvankham Thammavongsa. The short story employs a third-person narrative and delves into the life of an immigrant family and their struggles to assimilate in a new and inhospitable city. It narrates the experiences of a young immigrant, Joy, who witnesses language barriers and follows her yearning for knowledge and subsequent gaps in educational settings. The writer hopes to underscore the ignorance towards other’s cultures and the importance of cultural pride, by employing powerful prose she urges readers to empathize to combat prejudices.
How to Pronounce Knife | Summary
The story begins with a note being sent home with the protagonist of the story named Joy, but the mother disregards it. Her family resides in a cramped abode, and the father, once an avid painter, now toils at a print shop. Upon his return home, they gather to partake in a humble feast of cabbage and chitterlings. Joy takes great pleasure in relishing the chitterlings. Regrettably, her enthusiasm is ridiculed by her peers in school, who mockingly comment on the pungent aroma of her food. Stirred by a sense of exasperation, Joy vents her frustration at her classmates’ lack of cultural understanding and their failure to recognize the true worth of the dish. After conversing in Lao, her father advises her not to speak in their regional language or reveal their cultural background to anyone, cautioning her against disclosing their origins.
Joy comes home with a book, intended for independent reading practice. The book contains pictures and a few words, but there is one word that lacks a corresponding image, leaving the child puzzled about its pronunciation. Determined to uncover the meaning of the mysterious word, she opens the book and seeks her father’s assistance before he retires for the night. He pronounces the word “kahneyff,” based on how it sounds to him.
The following day, the class convenes, and Miss Choi prompts someone to read, ultimately selecting Joy, who proceeds well until she encounters the perplexing word. Miss Choi points to it, hoping for the correct pronunciation to emerge. Eventually, a classmate chimes in and declares that the word is “knife,” emphasizing that the “k” is silent and expressing an air of superiority in knowing such a simple fact. The students receive a prize for their performances in diction practice, Joy longs for the award but her lack of appropriate pronunciation inhibits her from achieving it. Unexpectedly, Miss Choi offers her a red velvet bag and asks her to choose a prize.
The protagonist chooses not to reveal to her father the fact that the ‘k’ in the word “knife” is silent. She keeps the incident of being in the principal’s office a secret, where she is informed about rules and the way things are. The isolated letter ‘k’ was the reason for her visit to the office. The protagonist’s unwavering belief in her father’s initial explanation persisted, and none of the educated individuals in her life could provide a satisfactory explanation.
Later, at home, Joy observes her father’s meticulousness as he adeptly picks up each grain of rice with his chopsticks, not dropping a single one. She reflects on how he eats, consuming every bit in his bowl, and notices his small and diminished presence. She contemplates the extent of her father’s knowledge and realizes that there is much she will have to discover on her own. Although she longs to tell her father that some letters exist in words but remain unspoken, she decides that the timing is not right for such a revelation.
How to pronounce Knife | Analysis
The story delves into the intricate dynamics of a child’s experiences and interactions with language, culture, and education. It provides a poignant exploration of the child’s quest for understanding and the challenges she faces in a new environment. A phoneme is the smallest unit of sound in a language. The way a phoneme is pronounced can reveal a great deal about the speaker’s identity, including their race, nationality, and social status. In the story, the author uses the pronunciation of the silent k in the word “knife” to explore the challenges that immigrants face when they are learning a new language.
The story takes place in a small town in the United States, which is a place where Joy feels like an outsider. The setting helps to create a sense of isolation and alienation for Joy, which is a central theme of the story. The narrative structure employs a third-person approach, which illustrates Joy’s perspective. Such a technique is useful in evoking empathy from readers and insight into the protagonist’s experiences, highlighting the difficulties faced by immigrant families as they strive to maintain their heritage while adapting to a new culture. The tone of the story fluctuates between moments of tenderness, frustration, and resilience. It captures the protagonist’s determination to defend her cultural identity and her frustration at the lack of understanding from her peers.
The narrative highlights the child’s yearning for knowledge and her encounter with a perplexing word, “knife,” which becomes a focal point of her journey. Her father’s mispronunciation of the word reflects the complexities of language acquisition for immigrants and the impact it has on their children’s assimilation process. The child’s persistence in pronouncing the word as her father taught her reveals her unwavering loyalty and desire to protect him from any perceived mistakes.
The story also sheds light on Joy’s school experiences, where she confronts teasing and cultural differences. The children’s ignorance and lack of appreciation for her cultural food demonstrate the challenges faced by immigrants in navigating unfamiliar environments and the longing for acceptance. The child’s frustration at their ignorance underscores her strong sense of cultural pride and her struggle to reconcile her identity with the expectations of her peers.
Furthermore, the narrative explores the power dynamics within the educational setting. The child’s encounter with the silent ‘k’ in “knife” leads to her being sent to the principal’s office. This incident raises questions about the rigidity of rules and the limitations of education systems in accommodating diverse linguistic backgrounds. The child’s unwavering belief in her father’s explanation showcases her resilience and determination to trust her own understanding, despite the authority figures’ attempts to correct her, it also reflects how immigrant families navigate an unfamiliar world. Moreover, the portrayal of the child’s relationship with her father is poignant. Her observation of his actions during dinner reflects her admiration for his meticulousness and the profound realization that there are certain things he doesn’t know. This revelation signifies the child’s growing independence and her understanding that she must navigate the world and unravel its complexities on her own.
The story explores the themes of language, cultural identity, and the challenges faced by immigrants in a new environment. Joy, as the protagonist, represents the struggle of assimilation and the clash between cultural heritage and the expectations of the new society. Through the child’s experiences, the author examines the complexities of language acquisition and the cultural pride that accompanies it.
The intent of the story is multilayered. It serves as a critique of the education system’s limited understanding of cultural diversity and the struggles faced by immigrant families. Through the child’s journey, the writer aims to shed light on the complexity of language and identity, emphasizing the importance of cultural pride and the challenges of assimilation. The intent also extends to fostering empathy and understanding among readers, encouraging them to recognize and appreciate the experiences of those from different cultural backgrounds.
How to pronounce Knife | Themes
The theme of language permeates the narrative, underscoring the challenges faced by immigrants in learning a new language and the subsequent impact on their communication within the host society. The story explores the nuances of pronunciation and the power dynamics associated with language proficiency. The child’s struggle to understand the silent ‘k’ in “knife” symbolizes the complexity of language acquisition and the potential miscommunication that can arise.
The story delves into the complexities of cultural identity and the pressure to assimilate into a new society while preserving one’s cultural heritage. The child’s unwavering loyalty to her father and refusal to believe her classmates’ correction of the word “knife” reflects the tension between maintaining cultural pride and fitting in with the dominant culture. It highlights the emotional and psychological impact of cultural assimilation on the individual’s sense of self.
The narrative explores the theme of perception and prejudice, particularly through the [protagonist’s experiences at school. The teasing she endures due to the smell of her food reflects the cultural biases and limited understanding of her peers. It exposes the damaging effects of stereotypes and the need for empathy and cultural awareness to combat such prejudices. It also emphasizes the importance of family and filial bonds within immigrant communities. The child’s deep admiration and loyalty towards her father are evident throughout the narrative. Their shared moments, such as the family dinner and the prize-winning puzzle, highlight the resilience and support that families provide in navigating the challenges of cultural adaptation.
The child’s encounter with the principal’s office and the subsequent inability of the educators to explain the silent ‘k’ in “knife” reflect the system’s failure to comprehend and appreciate the cultural intricacies brought by immigrant students. It underscores the importance of cultural understanding and inclusive education to foster a supportive environment for all students.
How to pronounce Knife | Title
The title directly references the mispronunciation of the word “knife”. It symbolizes the difficulties encountered when navigating unfamiliar linguistic terrain and the potential miscommunications that arise as a result. The mispronunciation of a simple word like “knife” underscores the broader struggle of immigrants to fully grasp the intricacies of a foreign language and the potential cultural misunderstandings that can arise from such linguistic barriers. Moreover, the title carries a metaphorical weight. The act of pronouncing a word correctly is often viewed as a marker of assimilation and acceptance within a new society. It represents the desire to fit in and conform to societal norms. The interrogative nature of the title suggests the insistence on a particular pronunciation reflecting longingness to retain cultural identity and resist assimilation. The correct pronunciation of words, in this case, becomes a marker of authority and knowledge. It underscores the disparities faced by immigrants who may lack fluency in the dominant language, often leading to marginalization or misunderstandings.
How to pronounce Knife | Character Sketch
Joy, who serves as the central character, embodies resilience and cultural pride. Through her experiences, we witness the complex emotions and struggles faced by immigrants. Her loyalty to her father, unwavering determination, and refusal to conform to societal expectations highlight her strong sense of identity and desire to preserve her cultural heritage.
The father represents the immigrant parent who grapples with the realities of adapting to a new society. His shift from being a painter to working at a print shop reflects the sacrifices made for the family’s well-being. Despite his limited education, he imparts valuable life lessons to his child and instills in her a sense of resilience and determination.
Miss Choi, the grade 1 teacher, symbolizes the authority figure within the educational system. While her intentions may be well-meaning, she represents the limitations of the system in accommodating cultural diversity and understanding the unique challenges faced by immigrant students. Her attempts to correct the child’s pronunciation and subsequent actions in the principal’s office highlight the power dynamics and miscommunication prevalent within the classroom.
How to pronounce Knife | Literary Devices
The word “knife” is a symbol of Joy’s cultural identity. The way she pronounces the word is a reflection of her parents’ culture, which is different from the culture of her school. The foreshadowing is reflected through the incorporation of the father’s insistence on hiding her cultural identity in front of her peers. This instance hints at possible difficulties she will face due to her different cultural identity. These are just a few of the literary devices used in the story “How to Pronounce Knife.” These devices help to create a rich and complex story that explores the challenges of assimilation and the importance of family and culture. The story also uses a lot of imagery to create a vivid picture of Joy’s world. The descriptions draw a stark contrast between Joy and her classmates highlighting the differences in affluence and cultural thinking.
The story “How to Pronounce Knife” is a well-crafted and moving story that explores the challenges of assimilation and the importance of family and culture.
