‘No Speak English’
A journey of migration and resistance
by Tara Mistry
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This memoir tells the story of my family’s migration, hopefully providing insights into the experiences of South Asian people in Britain and beyond. It is written for a diverse readership seeking to understand the migration story through the unique perspectives of one family.
About
The Author
I came to England with my Mum and brothers to join our father in Leicester, some 60 years ago. ‘No Speak English’ is our family’s story.
Previously I have published academic works, this marks my first attempt into autobiographical writing.
My professional journey in Bristol spans more than forty years. I have worked within the Probation Service and spent a decade lecturing at the University of Bristol. Over twenty years, I have served on the boards of various Bristol Health Trusts. In addition, I have held trustee roles with numerous national, local charitable and voluntary organisations.
I hope that this book will appeal to a wide audience, including those familiar with my work and new readers alike.
The Book
‘No Speak English’ – A journey of migration and resistance offers a deep insight into South Asian lives in Britain over six decades.
This memoir, ‘No Speak English’, covers the bold and emotional experience of migration through the eyes of my family. Drawing on personal memories and family history, it aims to capture the vulnerability, strength, and determination that define the migrant journey.
As a seven-year-old, I boarded a ship to England in the harsh winter of 1963, equipped with the phrase “No Speak English” for protection. The story explores what it means to be a visible minority, shaped by skin colour, religion, language and culture.
Structured in three parts, the memoir begins with the early 1900s journeys of my grandparents and covers the family’s migration to Kenya and subsequent return to India. The second part details my father’s move to England, while we remained in India. The family’s eventual migration to Leicester in January 1963 is set against the backdrop of wider politics and societal challenges, including patriarchal and gendered traditions, and strategies for overcoming adversity.
I explore the themes of identity, discovery and the challenges to racism, personally, politically and professionally in Bristol since 1982.
‘No Speak English’ offers readers a unique perspective on the South Asian experience in Britain and highlighting the resilience and triumphs of a community across generations.
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