How to Pronounce Knife

In “How to Pronounce Knife,” miscommunication is the result of failing to understand or share perspectives. Differences in appearance and language among other identifiers can and often elicit miscommunication. Language precipitates action, and action (or inaction) centers language, whether spoken or written. Joy’s family partakes in unspoken rituals, from spreading out a piece of newspaper as tablecloth to watching TV together before bed. This comfortable silence is communicated through action and body language. Likewise, Joy’s father advises against speaking Lao or even of Laos. This call for denial is meant to protect the family from outside scrutiny, but also contrasts with Joy’s mother, who claims important information should be communicated through speech—specifically, phone calls. As a result, whenever Joy’s teacher, Miss Choi, delivers important information in written form—specifically, through notes pinned to Joy— miscommunication ensues between teacher and parents, as Joy’s mother discards the notes. However, by the end of the short story, Miss Choi exhibits greater understanding of Joy’s family.

Both spoken and written language are important; however, silence also progresses the story and contributes to its meaning. Silence is often treated as truth, just as the “k” in “knife” is silent: An ironic example is the fact that Joy does not tell her parents about her vehement defense of her father’s mispronunciation of “knife.