12. ‘Search For My Tongue’ — Sujata Bhatt
Summary:
The speaker explores the emotional conflict of losing her first language after moving to a new country and learning a second language. She fears that her native tongue is dying inside her but ultimately feels it growing back, asserting her true cultural identity.
Analysis:
- Language is shown as deeply tied to identity and emotional heritage.
- The speaker struggles with feelings of alienation but also resilience and hope.
- The use of both English and Gujarati demonstrates the reality of living between two worlds.
- The poem speaks to the immigrant experience and the complexities of belonging.
Key Techniques:
- Bilingual structure: the switch into Gujarati mirrors the internal cultural conflict.
- Extended metaphor: the tongue as a living, growing plant.
- Imagery of decay and regrowth (“rot and die,” “grows back”) shows the resilience of identity.
- Conversational tone makes the experience intimate and authentic.