She said, 'Hello Nene'. In Turkish I asked her 'How are you?' and she replied 'Fine thanks.' I then asked her in German (we live in Switzerland) and she answered 'Fine thanks', in German. Not world shattering, but she's only 29 months old.
The best gift we can give our children is the gift of language - discuss!
2007-03-25 01:08:11 · 11 answers · asked by cymry3jones 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Marie M. I've lived in Hong Kong. My neighbour was amazed that my daughters could count from 1 to 10 in Cantonese. How sad is that? He wouldn't have been amazed if his nephews, nieces could count from1 to 10 in English.
2007-03-25 01:37:09 · update #1
When I lived in Australia, being resident in Switzerland, I put my eldest daughter in Saturday German school. She was the only child who didn't have at least one native German speaking parent and she was the only child who could converse in German.
I fully intend making sure that my grandchild can read Turkish before she goes to school and that she will start to learn English from me when she's about 8. Her father also says he regrets not having taken the opportunity to learn English when we lived together. (He's my step-son and his English isn't as bad as he thinks)
2007-03-25 01:45:22 · update #2
Don't understand Cristian. Surely, if one leaves one's country for economic reasons, then there is less reason for hiding background from the kids. If you leave for political reasons, then you may want to hide the horrors from your kids. But this has nothing to do with language.
2007-03-25 01:50:13 · update #3
No Charlie, she's not a genius. My step son insists that I speak German with his daughter, because my German is better than his. We'll introduce English later.
2007-03-25 02:02:35 · update #4
One of the best gifts, I'd say. Your granddaughter will have some definite advantages in the world.
2007-03-25 01:16:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am constantly embarrassed by my lack of languages.I speak a little Irish , a little French and a little spanish; I have tried to make sure my own kids have at least one European language..It's like beating my head off a wall. I spent some time in Hong Kong ten years ago, and the smallest children are sent to pre-nursery schools to learn English. Parents who saw my Eurpean face on public transport would speak to me, and get their child to speak to me to show off their knowledge of English. How right you are - It's only when we get older do we know how truly important it is to be able to communicate.
2007-03-25 01:25:58 · answer #2 · answered by marie m 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but my niece has a Ukranian mother & Scottish Dad (neither of whom I can tolerate - especially the Ukranian). She can speak Russian & English & hs been able to do so since around her 2nd birthday. Kids are a lot quicker at learning two languages than adults are.
2007-03-25 01:23:42 · answer #3 · answered by Jock 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree, there were a lot of rich people in the past that actually hired servants that spoke different languages and directed them to speak to their children in their language. The children grew up knowing how to speak seven different languages. What a great gift to give a child.
2007-03-25 01:12:12 · answer #4 · answered by gigi 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
How fantastic,I speak Italian and always was going to speak to my kids in Italian.Started off but as it is not my native tongue I gave up.They can swear in French German and Italian though which stops the neighbour thinking they use bad language all the time.
2007-03-25 01:16:03 · answer #5 · answered by pups 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Indeed! I thing bi- or multicultural children are the most blessed and gifted. But they should also be taught to regard the country of their roots as their real home and not necessarily the one they live in (especially if the parents/grandparents went there for economic reasons).
2007-03-25 01:35:27 · answer #6 · answered by Cristian Mocanu 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My gran daughter is also bilingual, she's 5 and Spanish. Her dad is Spanish and her mum English, we speak to her in both languages and now she's also learning the local dialect at school, it's funny when she corrects us instead of the other way round. I think it is an invaluable thing to have at your disposal. Keep it up.
2007-03-25 01:20:50 · answer #7 · answered by rose1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree! My neice is almost 4, and for a year or so, she has been able to speak a little spanish as her grandfather lives in spain, and a little french, as well as english.
2007-03-25 01:18:31 · answer #8 · answered by mrssandii1982 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ithink the gift of hearing is the best, language second when they say yes, last..when they say no!
2007-03-25 01:14:41 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My gift of toungues means that I can enjoy my food, and I am not a mute.
2007-03-25 02:14:27 · answer #10 · answered by nymaatra_horakte 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋