This metaphor is effective because it captures the sense of frustration and vulnerability that can come with learning a new language. It also highlights the similarities between the process of language acquisition and the process of growing up. Just as children eventually learn to speak fluently, so too can adults learn to speak a new language. However, the journey is not always easy, and it requires a lot of patience and perseverance.
In addition to the central metaphor, Sedaris also uses other figurative language to create a vivid and humorous portrait of his experiences learning French. For example, he uses similes to compare his French pronunciation to the sound of a "dying cat" and to describe his teacher as looking like a "cross between Margaret Thatcher and Mr. Rogers." He also uses personification to give human qualities to inanimate objects, such as when he describes his French textbook as being "mean" to him.
The use of figurative language in "Me Talk Pretty One Day" helps to create a memorable and engaging essay. Sedaris's vivid imagery and clever turns of phrase make the essay both enjoyable to read and thought-provoking.