I am bilingual and live in england ( I lived in france for 9 years ) . I have never felt english nore french! And sometimes I don't feel I belong anywhere !
2006-10-14 04:25:31 · 10 answers · asked by La parisienne ! 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
I am 13 years old !
2006-10-14 04:54:59 · update #1
Maybe the fact that you're 13 has something to do with it? You said that you spent your childhood in France. But now that you're a teen, you live in a different country.
You know, both my parents were French. But my dad was from l'Ile de la Réunion (you know, in the Indian Ocean? Next to Mauritius?). It's French, y the way. And we moved there when I was 11. It wasn't a problem because, well, it's French, but it's also a bit different. We also moved back to metroplitan France 4 years later. Then, I moved to another town again. And then, for the last 7 years, I've moved pretty much every year (including USA, England, back to Reunion, ...).
What I want to say is that I feel French now, but I used to not feel particularly French before. i didn't really care about it as I never really thought about it. I think it's the case for people whose parents are of the same nationality. When you're a teen, you ask yourself plenty of questions, and because you've lived in 2 different countries, you have another question to think about. When you grow older, you'll be able to know who you are. Maybe travelling might help you do that. By being confronted with different cultures, you'll notice things which are done differently in those country, and maybe because of that, you'll be able to identify where you belong. Maybe you'll realize that your culture is a mix of both French and English cultures. Just take the best of both!
I feel at home everywhere. By that, I mean that where I live (my flat) is where I feel at home. But I want to go back to France afterwards, because after so many years of living abroad, I know I feel more comfortable with people who share my culture. Because I know the codes which rule that culture (and also because I like the French way of life!).
Don't worry. You're only 13, and it's normal to ask yourself such questions. I know that when you're a teen, you don't like to be different. But try to see that as an asset. You'll have your own personality!
PS: sorry, I even got confused re-reading that myself!
2006-10-14 07:00:54 · answer #1 · answered by Offkey 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Recently I've met many people in your situation.
Maybe you feel you belong in both places or prefer one or the other but you dont want to hurt either parent's feelings.....
Maybe you should do some traveling. Get to know other cultures and customs. I've always felt that we are all very different but deep down, it's not that big of a difference. After all, we are all human right?
And maybe you don't have to associate yourself to one nationality, or country or something like that. Maybe you like pop music or indie films and belong with that group.
It's all very confusing but eventually you'll figure it out ;).
Good Luck!
2006-10-14 04:36:12 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
well, I can relate to that...It's hard to explain because like you (I assume), I'm caucasian and I don't look different, I was born in Algeria, my mum is of Spanish descent, my dad is of Italian descent, but my mother tongue is French but I speak also Spanish and Italian but not as good as a local to fit there although when I'm in those countries I almost feel Italian or Spanish, I lived in Algeria 5 years, in France 5 years, and the rest in Canada. To tell you the truth, I feel more at home anywhere in China or Japan than in my "own" country...Maybe because it is disturbing psychologically for us to look "normal" like everyone else, but inside we are indeed different, so perhaps the best way to feel complete is to feel different physically and psychologically and just be a complete foreigner for real...I have a friend who is like me, born in England of Indian parents and raised in Canada. He never felt he belonged either in England, Canada or even India, and he feels at home in Japan where he lives now! If you feel like a foreigner in your own country, might as well be a foreigner for real...
2006-10-14 05:53:27 · answer #3 · answered by Dr. Phil 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be yourself. You are lucky to belong to two different cultures with two languages. You don't have to belong to one or both. Enjoy the good things of both.
2006-10-14 07:00:00 · answer #4 · answered by yakkydoc 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you just keep in touch with both parents then you will eventually fell loved by both parents and feel like you belong in both places.
2006-10-14 04:33:22 · answer #5 · answered by imsmartkid 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
mon dieu! ... sorry to hear that but only you have the solution. sometimes, its not so much of a "feel" thing but how you act and your initiative to behave more french or english.
2006-10-14 04:36:23 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You don't say you'r age. But Half Mexicans/ half Anglos, we feel like that. Anglos )gringos discriminate us. If we go to mexico they discriminate us too!! But in time, I hope you forget that!! Godd Luck!!
2006-10-14 04:53:38 · answer #7 · answered by alfonso 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
At least your parents are from the same continent. You are still European :)
2006-10-14 08:39:38 · answer #8 · answered by Agata 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nevermind. we are going to have a universal willage.
2006-10-14 04:37:29 · answer #9 · answered by - 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes , you're right , and then , you're not belong to me too....
2006-10-14 04:31:06 · answer #10 · answered by william 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋