Inside Out & Back Again Language and Communication Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Part.Poem.Stanza)

Quote #4

We have landed
on an island
called Guam
which no one can pronounce
except Brother Quang
who becomes translator
for us all. (2.12.1)

It's great that Quang can help out, but it doesn't change the fact that once they leave Saigon, most people in Hà's family have a hard time communicating since they only speak Vietnamese.

Quote #5

We watch movies outdoors
[…]
Brother Quang translates
into a microphone
his voice sad and slow. (2.13.4)

We thought translating for everyone might get old, and it looks like it has for Quang. Learning another language takes a lot of time and practice, so how will all these people survive in America without Quang?

Quote #6

Until you children
master English,
you must think, do, wish
for nothing else.
(3.2.7)

Learning English is key to each member of Hà's family being able to thrive in the United States, so the pressure is officially on. The name of the game is all English, all the time—even just when thinking.