I was born in an english speaking environment. My parents never spoke to my siblings& me in our native language. Then we had to go back home and I cant get along with my peers over here because I'm different. I seem odd to them. Its been 3 years and I still cant speak it because I'm so tense about it. What do you think?
2007-05-13 13:33:59 · 11 answers · asked by model-me 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
I grew up around English speaking people as well but my parents did speak to my brother and I in our native tongue, Chinese (Cantonese). As I got older, my Chinese worsened and like you, I'm tense and get embarassed about it. I understand it when people speak it but when I speak it, it sounds weird.
I know how you feel, when my family moved to a more Chinese populated area, my peers told me that I speak "white" or that I'm too "white." I grew up around those sort of mannerisms and that lifestyle so it's not really my "fault" if it even is a fault. So what if you're different? It's better than being generic. You are who you are, don't let anyone change it.
2007-05-13 13:38:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the first place, one's "native language" is the language he/she was taught first to speak, so your native language is English. And I think that a good deal of the trouble learning the language of the country you have had to move to is 1] you don't really want to be there and 2] you feel uptight being the "odd man out" by not knowing the language and are also uptight about all the mistakes you will inevitably make learning it and this will cause them to make fun of you, etc.
So go somewhere there that teaches you the language, or demand that your parents teach it to you. Then, as you improve, you will get along better and feel more comfortable.
And do not, repeat do NOT, forget your English. Once you learn to speak whatever language they speak in the country you have moved to, being bi-lingual in English and Language X is a big asset - not only will you be smarter than you were, but also you will be able to get good jobs.
So try to put aside the discrimination and be glad you have the chance to learn another language - it is not really about now and the people you deal with now, it's about you and your future. You'll move on to other people, other environments, other concerns, other interests. Use this time for you and your development. And insist that your parents help you by teaching you what they know.
2007-05-13 13:42:20 · answer #2 · answered by sonyack 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Maybe you can find a small class or group setting where you'd feel comfortable beginning to speak the language. The biggest barrier to becoming fluent in another language is usually lack of confidence. You will forget words and pronounce things strangely while you are learning (and perhaps forever) but don't let this stop you from practicing!
2007-05-13 13:38:37 · answer #3 · answered by sankayak 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have the response , your native language isn't Urdu this language is the native language of your family , your native language is English!!!!!!! , don't worry I have two nephews and they just can to speak English and French and the native language of my family is Spanish
2016-05-17 09:53:31 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, not at all. You can't learn to speak your native language unless you were taught too, it's not your fault. I am of German descent and chose to take Spanish class rather than German, because I thought it would be easier. That is worse.
2007-05-13 13:37:32 · answer #5 · answered by I ? Colbert 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It isn't too odd since you grew up in a completely different place but it is kind of odd about you being there for three years but it still is kind of normal.
2007-05-13 13:37:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's nothing unusual about it .
you was born and raised in one place then
uprooted and transfer ed to another unfamiliar
territory and you need some time to become
familiar with the new environment And you will
if you desired.
2007-05-14 05:42:55 · answer #7 · answered by massimo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I live in the U.S. and very few nowdays speak the native language of english,either....Our back door is open...to anyone,reguardless of who they are,or why they are here,it seems...I Am slowly watching our great country eroding...and there is nothing that I can do about it.
2007-05-13 13:40:24 · answer #8 · answered by bonsai bobby 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think you are too tense about it. You said it yourself.
It has nothing to do with your ability to learn the language, you just don‘t want to be there.
2007-05-13 13:37:10 · answer #9 · answered by Thespiana 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no it isnt
2007-05-13 13:36:21 · answer #10 · answered by rakesh m 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋