Names, 2nd languages, help?

Question

We want to teach our daughter english and italian. We are planning on giving her an english first name and an italian middle name. Would it be a good idea to call her by her first name when we want her to speak english and by her middle name when we want her to speak italian? (For example at home we would call her Rachel and at relatives' houses we would call her Viola) What do you think? Thanks to all who answer!

Wouldn't it be more confusing since Rachel isn't an italian name? If you called her Viola when you wanted her to speak italian, I would think it would be less confusing since it's an italian name.

Answer 1

I don't see why you couldn't do that if you wanted to. Babies do learn different names; most families have at least one nickname for a baby in addition to their full or real name. (My daughter had at least 3-4 nicknames when she was still a young baby.) But you could also give her a name that works in both English and Italian. I think Viola would be pretty in both languages. It's just a question of what you prefer.

And it's great that you're teaching her two languages. My older kids are all bilingual, although they only started the second one at ages 2-5, not from birth. My 3 year old speaks English perfectly (at a 6th grade level, probably!!), and understands at least 2 other languages, plus reads in 2 different alphabets. We're not quite sure how all that happened, but it's really good for the child's brain development.

And ignore all those people who said that two different names would confuse your daughter. I can *guarantee* you that if you stood outside their house listening carefully, you would find that *every single one of them* has called their baby "honey" or "sweetie" many, many times!!

Answer 2

That might be really confusing for her. You could just say her name and then say Italian or English after it to let her know which language you want. But it might work; I don't know. I've never heard of anyone doing that. I know a woman who is raising her daughter bilingual, but she's just calling her by one name. When she wants her daughter to speak in one language or the other, she just speaks in that language or switches languages to cue the little girl.

Answer 3

You can also call her Raquel, which is the latin form for Rachel. Since most Italians are Catholic & Rachel is a Biblical name, I think sticking with the one name will be ok. I was spoken to in 2 languages & didn't suffer for it.

Answer 4

Stick to one name, but still influence italian in a lot of other aspects, for example randomly switching languages throughout the day.
I find a 2nd language especially helpful when talking to my parents infront of someone who i dont want to know what im talking about =) (did that make sense?)
Anyway, I think its a really good idea. Dual languages has been a great help to me growing up. Good luck!

Answer 5

Calling her two names could get really confusing to her when she's young. Although, teaching her both languages is a wonderful thing, and I think all children should start learning another language at an early age.

Answer 6

that`s good! but i think u better stick with one name that ull call her..for example,u can call her Rachel at home and at ur relatives` houses too..and ur relatives can call her viola! her italian friends can call her her italian name and her english american friends can call her her english name..

Answer 7

I feel 'pilla' manner woman in telugu. English:sure Hindi:haan Spanish:si English:love Hindi:pyar Spanish:amor English:End, Hindi:Samaapth, French:Fin, German:Ende btw ur urdu phrase and tapori phrase is mistaken.

Answer 8

Hi...I think as far as your daughter know that rule, that desicion can't make her confused. For example me. My mom call me Dedek , my dad call me Cece ( called name for Chinesse people for the oldest daughter), my friends call me Dee, Dede or Devina. My auntie adn almost of my relatives call me Vina. I think it's okay, cause I know exactly my name and that rules... So...I think your desicion is okay to do to your child.

Hey...I love your daughter name, here is some information about that name special for you from me :

RACHEL
Gender: Feminine

Usage: English, Jewish, French, German, Biblical

Other Scripts: רָחֵל (Hebrew)

Pronounced: RAY-chel (English), ra-SHEL (French) [key]

Means "ewe" in Hebrew. She was the favourite wife of Jacob and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin in the Old Testament.

VIOLA
Gender: Feminine

Usage: English, Italian, Scandinavian

Pronounced: vee-O-la, vie-O-la [key]

Means "violet" in Latin. Viola was the heroine in Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night'.

Hopefully I can help you and happy choosing...

Take care,

Dee

Answer 9

what do you mean when you call her and when you want her to speak. It's a child not a dog you freakin' weirdo."Heeeere Rachel, Speak! English. good girl, good girl. here's a snack." Or "Vioooooola, Good puppa." weirdo stop it before you hurt someone. freak.

Answer 10

Check with the school of Berlitz. They specialize in that. It's a school of foreign languages which is currently owned by the Japanese.