I'm A Silly Mami: Raising My Daughter In A Multilingual Home   

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Raising My Daughter In A Multilingual Home

Buggy
Wikepedia defines a Multilingual person as someone who can communicate in more than one language, be it (through speaking, writing or signing) or passively (through listening, reading or perceiving). Yup, that's my little Buggy.   

At just 19 months Buggy can already understand and speak Spanish, some Portuguese and some Chinese words - thanks to Nickelodeon's Ni-Hao Kai-Lan, which is the only cartoon she watches.  She also signs which is how she generally communicates.  At her age she does not have a lot of words in her vocabulary but she does understand everything you say to her either in English or Spanish and she will respond by shaking her head yes or no or by showing you what she wants.  Buggy is very vocal but most of it is toddler talk.  She speaks her own language. 

As a Latina growing up in a bilingual home, it is important for me to teach my daughter my native language, after all, she is half Latina. My parents came to the U.S. from Puerto Rico when they were in their 20's. They wanted more for us and raising their children bilingual was important to them but learning the English language was at the top of their list. My sisters and I did not attend any bilingual classes in school because we were to focus on learning English and getting a great education. I remember my parents speaking Spanish to us and we always responded in English unless they didn't understand what we were trying to say then we would speak Spanglish - half English half Spanish. They worked just as hard to learn English as well.  Aside from family and the Puerto Rican community they also had many many American friends who would help them if needed.  One of the ways daddy learned English was from watching TV.

But as much as my Mami wanted us to learn English and the American way, she always made sure that we kept up with our Spanish. I remember as a young girl writing a letter in Spanish to my Abuelita (Grandmother) in Puerto Rico and having Mami look it over before I mailed it.  Mami made sure that aside from speaking Spanish we were able to read it and write it as well.  Unfortunately my parents are no longer around but I continue to practice my Spanish with my relatives here and in Puerto Rico.  I am thankful that my Mami made sure that we kept up with our Spanish.  I hope that as Buggy gets older she will continue to speak Spanish and if and when she has children, it will be something she teaches them as well.  It is unfortunate that my older sister does not teach her two boys Spanish. Mainly because she is married to an idiot and he doesn't want them learning Spanish - what a shame.  My younger sister speaks both English and Spanish to her boys and surrounds themselves with friends and family that speaks both languages.

My husband is Portuguese and although he doesn't speak it to Buggy his parents do and that's because they refuse to learn English even though they have been in this country for over 40 years.  They know enough to get by but not truly enough -anyway, that's a topic for another blog.

The benefits of teaching your child multiple languages - incredible!   So tell me, are you teaching your child/children your native language?

11 comments:

  1. Hi! I'm Charm from MBC and I have a blog too! It's www.thecouplesview.com Feel free to comment and follow.

    Your daughter is so cute by the way!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think it's great that your child is being exposed to so many languages. Supposedly the younger a kid is, the easier it is to learn something, so your doing great! New follower from MBC, have a great weekend!

    http://wvfrugal-wvsaver.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi, Being Indian I am Multilingual, but teaching kids my language has been a challenge indeed ! Both my girls take spanish lessons at school BTW !
    New follower on GFC and Twitter. Feel free to hop by my blog when you get a chance
    http://suesnutritionbuzz.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hello I am following from MBC and love your post. I am also multilingual and am I trying my best to speak Italian around my little one so she is exposed to another language. I would love if you would come by and check out my blog. I am a fellow newbie blogger.
    http://mommybags.blogspot.com
    Happy Friday

    ReplyDelete
  5. New follower! :)

    Sounds like your little angel is going to be a smart one! Hope you guys have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  6. That's wonderful! I only speak English well, but my husband speaks English and Spanish. I know a little Spanish and a little (very, very little!) Chinese. I really want my kids to learn Spanish and as much other language as possible--I think it is so good for them!

    It's nice to "meet" you! Have a great weekend!

    Carla @ Jansen Family Adventures

    ReplyDelete
  7. PS. I wanted to follow you, but the follower button wasn't working...maybe tomorrow? :)

    Carla @ Jansen Family Adventures

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow! I'm so glad I found your blog! I love it! I'm also speak to my daughter in spanish, I've always wanted her to learn my native language. I think it is a benefit to them and their development. However, I can't get her to answer back in spanish, any ideas?

    I'm new at blogging, just started today, would love for you to follow me.

    Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I meant to leave you my blog info. :)

    http://shimmerinpink.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hola Paula,

    Will def check out your site. Buggy doesn't say many words bcuz she signs a lot or will show you what she wants but I will say the words in spanish and english so that is familiar with them. Some days I will just speak only spanish to her

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks everyone for your comments. I don't know how to respond to each person so I'll post here. I really appreciate.

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...