Chapter 39: Accents — Language, Identity, and Finding Your Voice
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
In “Accents,” the narrator, Reha, opens with a straightforward assertion: her parents speak perfect English. They grew up studying the language and using it with friends, so their accents are not particularly strong. Yet, Reha observes, people sometimes act as if the accents are overwhelming—as if they cannot understand a single word.
She lists three everyday situations where this happens: a baffled Sears salesman, bank tellers at the drive-through, and a car mechanic inspecting her mother Amma’s brakes. In each case, the adults behave as though communication is impossible, even though everyone knows the parents understand perfectly well.
Because of this pretense, Reha is “elected translator.” But her translation involves no interpretation or simplification. She simply repeats the exact words her parents have already spoken. The chapter ends with this quiet irony: the child is called upon to bridge a gap that does not actually exist.
Key Events
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Reha states that her parents speak perfect English and have only mild accents.
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She describes three incidents where service workers act as if they cannot understand her parents: a Sears salesman, bank tellers, and a car mechanic.
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In each situation, Reha is chosen to act as translator.
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Reha reveals that her “translation” is merely a verbatim repetition of her parents’ own words.
Character Development
This short chapter deepens our understanding of Reha’s role within her family and society. She is the child who is forced to become a linguistic intermediary, even when no real language barrier exists. The phrase “elected translator” suggests that she has been assigned this duty by others, not that she volunteered. She does not complain or question it; she simply observes the absurdity.
Reha’s narration is matter-of-fact, but the repetition of “they act like” and “we all know” reveals her awareness of the injustice. She sees that the adults are pretending, and she understands that her parents are being treated unfairly. Yet she does not challenge the behavior—she just repeats the words. This passive acceptance hints at the emotional toll of constantly navigating between two cultures.
Amma appears only briefly, but her presence is significant. She is the one whose brakes are being inspected, and she is the one who is not directly addressed by the mechanic. Instead, the mechanic looks at Reha, expecting the child to speak for her mother. This dynamic places Amma in a position of dependence, despite her full competence.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Accent as a marker of otherness – The chapter’s title points to the central symbol: the accent. Reha’s parents have accents, but they are not strong. The accent becomes a stand-in for difference, a reason for others to treat them as outsiders.
Microaggressions – The incidents at Sears, the bank, and the mechanic’s shop are classic examples of microaggressions. They are not overt insults but subtle, everyday slights that communicate “you do not belong here.” The fact that the adults pretend not to understand is a form of gaslighting—they make the parents seem deficient when they are not.
The burden of translation – Reha’s role as translator is a motif that recurs throughout the novel. Here, it is stripped of any real purpose, because the translation is verbatim. This highlights the absurdity of the situation and the emotional weight placed on the child.
Identity and belonging – Reha is caught between two worlds. She is fluent in both English and her parents’ language, and she is expected to bridge the gap. But this chapter shows that the gap is artificial, created by prejudice rather than by actual communication barriers.
Why This Chapter Matters
“Accents” is a pivotal chapter because it establishes a recurring pattern in Reha’s life. It shows that she is constantly being asked to mediate between her parents and the outside world, even when no mediation is needed. This experience shapes her identity and her sense of belonging.
The chapter also connects to the novel’s broader themes of immigration and cultural identity. Reha’s parents are educated, professional people who speak English fluently, yet they are still treated as outsiders. This challenges the stereotype that immigrants must struggle with language to face discrimination.
Finally, the chapter sets up a contrast between Reha’s internal world and her external role. She is a child who is forced to act as an adult, repeating words that should not need repeating. This tension will likely influence her decisions later in the story.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Reha say she is “elected translator” even though she only repeats her parents’ exact words?
Reha is “elected” because the adults in these situations refuse to acknowledge that her parents can communicate. They look to the child as a linguistic bridge, but the bridge is unnecessary. By repeating the words verbatim, Reha exposes the absurdity of the pretense. She is not translating meaning; she is simply echoing what was already said, which underscores the fact that the real barrier is prejudice, not language.
2. What do the three examples—Sears, the bank, and the mechanic—have in common?
All three are routine service interactions where the parents are treated as if they cannot understand English. The salesman, tellers, and mechanic all behave as though communication is impossible, even though Reha’s parents speak perfectly well. These are everyday microaggressions that reinforce the idea that the parents are outsiders. The common thread is that the adults are not actually confused; they are choosing to act as if they are.
3. How does this chapter contribute to Reha’s sense of identity?
This chapter shows Reha being forced into the role of cultural intermediary. She is the one who must speak for her parents, even when they are perfectly capable of speaking for themselves. This experience likely contributes to her feeling of being caught between two worlds—she is both a child and a translator, both an insider and an outsider. It also highlights the emotional burden she carries, which may influence her later choices about her own identity and her relationship with her family.