Good reasons for kids to learn heritage language & culture

[Anonymous]

We speak English and Spanish at home. What matters they are good and empathetic kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We speak English and Spanish at home. What matters they are good and empathetic kids.

That’s it? Wouldn’t they be better off if they spoke multiple languages and experienced multiple cultures? It’s not either or…

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:The second gen kid I knew told his parents forcing the heritage language that he was American and had no interest in learning their heritage language. His priority was in being an American only.

I think that’s really sad and probably heartbreaking for the family…

They could have chosen to remain in their native country if it was so important.

Agree. Whether someone moves to the US or somewhere else that speak another language, it is bound to happen. Otherwise we’d all be speaking Old English, or Latin or some other ancient language.

I 100% disagree. They will speak perfect English and be American AND know their heritage language and culture. These kids are missing out in so much if they don’t. I guess We don’t all get it

Sorry but you sound kind of of obnoxious. I’m guessing you’re the European person who forces their kids to learn? Unfortunately not all cultures are viewed equally in the US. When I was growing up I didn’t want to learn Chinese, I wanted to learn French. I never felt superior to anyone because I knew the language or understood the culture. Lots of Chinese kids I knew who grew up in places with few Asians had identity crises. They wanted to be more American, not be proud Chinese people. So don’t just assume that it’s in every kids’ best interest for their parents to impose their culture/language on their kid or otherwise are “lax”. Just shows your lack of empathy and understanding for things actually work in this country.

I am not, but I am European. My husband is from a country in Latin America and feels exactly the same way. My kids are not forced to learn anything and are super proud of having 3 passports and speaking 3 languages (mostly fluently). We/our friends/schools/place of work all celebrate different heritages (including Chinese). My daughters go to school with a few Asian kids (second generation) and are all proud of their heritage (though I am not sure if they speak the language.

While 100 years ago “my people” only wanted to be American when they moved here, today speaking multiple languages and having multiple heritages is seen as something to be proud of. I definitely see it as an added quality.

The PP choice of word “superior” was wrong in my opinion, but I think she meant “superior to what they would be if they did not embrace their heritage”.
I agree with PP that even if you need to force them a bit it’s a good idea. We force our kids to do many things I donMt see why learning a language is different.

It’s a typical ABC attitude

if your husband is from the country, your kids are second generation, not third. Most second-generation immigrants do know their heritage language. Most third-generation immigrants do not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The second gen kid I knew told his parents forcing the heritage language that he was American and had no interest in learning their heritage language. His priority was in being an American only.

He is. His parent's heritage is foreign to him.

I'm the PP here. Yes. He told his parents he had no interest in speaking their language and that he was an American
and wanted to only speak English since he was an American. He was a proud American kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The second gen kid I knew told his parents forcing the heritage language that he was American and had no interest in learning their heritage language. His priority was in being an American only.

He is. His parent's heritage is foreign to him.

I'm the PP here. Yes. He told his parents he had no interest in speaking their language and that he was an American
and wanted to only speak English since he was an American. He was a proud American kid.

And this is good? Being a “proud American kid” does it preclude him for the enrichment of speaking multiple languages and embracing different cultures? It seems quite ignorant to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The second gen kid I knew told his parents forcing the heritage language that he was American and had no interest in learning their heritage language. His priority was in being an American only.

He is. His parent's heritage is foreign to him.

I'm the PP here. Yes. He told his parents he had no interest in speaking their language and that he was an American
and wanted to only speak English since he was an American. He was a proud American kid.

And this is good? Being a “proud American kid” does it preclude him for the enrichment of speaking multiple languages and embracing different cultures? It seems quite ignorant to me.

I think you need to chill out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The second gen kid I knew told his parents forcing the heritage language that he was American and had no interest in learning their heritage language. His priority was in being an American only.

He is. His parent's heritage is foreign to him.

I'm the PP here. Yes. He told his parents he had no interest in speaking their language and that he was an American
and wanted to only speak English since he was an American. He was a proud American kid.

And this is good? Being a “proud American kid” does it preclude him for the enrichment of speaking multiple languages and embracing different cultures? It seems quite ignorant to me.

I think you need to chill out.

I am calm, but you should open your mind a little.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The second gen kid I knew told his parents forcing the heritage language that he was American and had no interest in learning their heritage language. His priority was in being an American only.

He is. His parent's heritage is foreign to him.

I'm the PP here. Yes. He told his parents he had no interest in speaking their language and that he was an American
and wanted to only speak English since he was an American. He was a proud American kid.

And this is good? Being a “proud American kid” does it preclude him for the enrichment of speaking multiple languages and embracing different cultures? It seems quite ignorant to me.

I think you need to chill out.

I am calm, but you should open your mind a little.

I guess I'm not really sure what your point is. Are you saying that being "multicultural" makes you objectively better than someone who "single cultural" or someone who has lost their culture over the generations or for whatever reason doesn't prioritize maintaining their language/culture?

Some people come to the US and all they want to do is assimilate. But maybe you and your family already look "American" (i.e.) white enough so there's no need to assimilate. Your kids won't have a chip on their shoulder. Maybe you should open your mind up to the experiences of other groups of people.

[Anonymous]

If you are not using it every day it will deteriorate. My foreign language skills were best when I was living in the country where the other language was spoken. You can keep up some modicum of skills by reading/watching TV/studying but you have to be having conversations daily if you want to maintain true fluency

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The second gen kid I knew told his parents forcing the heritage language that he was American and had no interest in learning their heritage language. His priority was in being an American only.

He is. His parent's heritage is foreign to him.

I'm the PP here. Yes. He told his parents he had no interest in speaking their language and that he was an American
and wanted to only speak English since he was an American. He was a proud American kid.

And this is good? Being a “proud American kid” does it preclude him for the enrichment of speaking multiple languages and embracing different cultures? It seems quite ignorant to me.

I think you need to chill out.

I am calm, but you should open your mind a little.

I guess I'm not really sure what your point is. Are you saying that being "multicultural" makes you objectively better than someone who "single cultural" or someone who has lost their culture over the generations or for whatever reason doesn't prioritize maintaining their language/culture?

Some people come to the US and all they want to do is assimilate. But maybe you and your family already look "American" (i.e.) white enough so there's no need to assimilate. Your kids won't have a chip on their shoulder. Maybe you should open your mind up to the experiences of other groups of people.

Not better than others, but better than they would be if they only spoke 1 language and knew nothing of their parents heritage cultures. Or do you think speaking an extra language and embracing another culture is useless?

I am sure some people back in the day wanted to only be American. Thankfully, things have changed and in most places (definitely in the DMV) being bilingual or trilingual is seen as a good thing. Nobody has ever looked down in my kids because they speak 3 languages and spend their summer in Europe (at least not to our face).

OP does a huge disservice to her kids by not teaching them another language and her heritage. She is taking something beautiful and enriching away from her kids. Something that will make them smarter, more self aware, more able to see things in perspective, academic benefits, etc.

You keep referencing race and yes, my kids and I are white and I guess blend in (not even sure what that means nowadays) with the white American kids… so what?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The second gen kid I knew told his parents forcing the heritage language that he was American and had no interest in learning their heritage language. His priority was in being an American only.

He is. His parent's heritage is foreign to him.

I'm the PP here. Yes. He told his parents he had no interest in speaking their language and that he was an American
and wanted to only speak English since he was an American. He was a proud American kid.

And this is good? Being a “proud American kid” does it preclude him for the enrichment of speaking multiple languages and embracing different cultures? It seems quite ignorant to me.

I think you need to chill out.

I am calm, but you should open your mind a little.

I guess I'm not really sure what your point is. Are you saying that being "multicultural" makes you objectively better than someone who "single cultural" or someone who has lost their culture over the generations or for whatever reason doesn't prioritize maintaining their language/culture?

Some people come to the US and all they want to do is assimilate. But maybe you and your family already look "American" (i.e.) white enough so there's no need to assimilate. Your kids won't have a chip on their shoulder. Maybe you should open your mind up to the experiences of other groups of people.

Not better than others, but better than they would be if they only spoke 1 language and knew nothing of their parents heritage cultures. Or do you think speaking an extra language and embracing another culture is useless?

I am sure some people back in the day wanted to only be American. Thankfully, things have changed and in most places (definitely in the DMV) being bilingual or trilingual is seen as a good thing. Nobody has ever looked down in my kids because they speak 3 languages and spend their summer in Europe (at least not to our face).

OP does a huge disservice to her kids by not teaching them another language and her heritage. She is taking something beautiful and enriching away from her kids. Something that will make them smarter, more self aware, more able to see things in perspective, academic benefits, etc.

You keep referencing race and yes, my kids and I are white and I guess blend in (not even sure what that means nowadays) with the white American kids… so what?

What do you mean? It sounds like OP’s kids just aren’t motivated despite OP’s efforts to send them to language schools and I assume speak to them in the language. I’m curious what race/country OP is from?

How does race not matter? If kids are experiencing racism, then I don’t see why it’s a huge deal if they don’t want to “embrace” their parents’ culture.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The second gen kid I knew told his parents forcing the heritage language that he was American and had no interest in learning their heritage language. His priority was in being an American only.

He is. His parent's heritage is foreign to him.

I'm the PP here. Yes. He told his parents he had no interest in speaking their language and that he was an American
and wanted to only speak English since he was an American. He was a proud American kid.

And this is good? Being a “proud American kid” does it preclude him for the enrichment of speaking multiple languages and embracing different cultures? It seems quite ignorant to me.

I think you need to chill out.

I am calm, but you should open your mind a little.

I guess I'm not really sure what your point is. Are you saying that being "multicultural" makes you objectively better than someone who "single cultural" or someone who has lost their culture over the generations or for whatever reason doesn't prioritize maintaining their language/culture?

Some people come to the US and all they want to do is assimilate. But maybe you and your family already look "American" (i.e.) white enough so there's no need to assimilate. Your kids won't have a chip on their shoulder. Maybe you should open your mind up to the experiences of other groups of people.

Not better than others, but better than they would be if they only spoke 1 language and knew nothing of their parents heritage cultures. Or do you think speaking an extra language and embracing another culture is useless?

I am sure some people back in the day wanted to only be American. Thankfully, things have changed and in most places (definitely in the DMV) being bilingual or trilingual is seen as a good thing. Nobody has ever looked down in my kids because they speak 3 languages and spend their summer in Europe (at least not to our face).

OP does a huge disservice to her kids by not teaching them another language and her heritage. She is taking something beautiful and enriching away from her kids. Something that will make them smarter, more self aware, more able to see things in perspective, academic benefits, etc.

You keep referencing race and yes, my kids and I are white and I guess blend in (not even sure what that means nowadays) with the white American kids… so what?

What do you mean? It sounds like OP’s kids just aren’t motivated despite OP’s efforts to send them to language schools and I assume speak to them in the language. I’m curious what race/country OP is from?

How does race not matter? If kids are experiencing racism, then I don’t see why it’s a huge deal if they don’t want to “embrace” their parents’ culture.

They china

[Anonymous]

I’m going to try to ignore the strange comment above but let’s say you’re picked on at school because you’re the nerdy Chinese kid. You think the parents should then “force” the kid to embrace Chinese culture, speak the language, adopt the customs, etc.? Or is that kid going to be feel pretty bitter about being Chinese. Not something a white European person can really understand…but I get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The second gen kid I knew told his parents forcing the heritage language that he was American and had no interest in learning their heritage language. His priority was in being an American only.

He is. His parent's heritage is foreign to him.

I'm the PP here. Yes. He told his parents he had no interest in speaking their language and that he was an American
and wanted to only speak English since he was an American. He was a proud American kid.

And this is good? Being a “proud American kid” does it preclude him for the enrichment of speaking multiple languages and embracing different cultures? It seems quite ignorant to me.

I think you need to chill out.

I am calm, but you should open your mind a little.

I guess I'm not really sure what your point is. Are you saying that being "multicultural" makes you objectively better than someone who "single cultural" or someone who has lost their culture over the generations or for whatever reason doesn't prioritize maintaining their language/culture?

Some people come to the US and all they want to do is assimilate. But maybe you and your family already look "American" (i.e.) white enough so there's no need to assimilate. Your kids won't have a chip on their shoulder. Maybe you should open your mind up to the experiences of other groups of people.

Not better than others, but better than they would be if they only spoke 1 language and knew nothing of their parents heritage cultures. Or do you think speaking an extra language and embracing another culture is useless?

I am sure some people back in the day wanted to only be American. Thankfully, things have changed and in most places (definitely in the DMV) being bilingual or trilingual is seen as a good thing. Nobody has ever looked down in my kids because they speak 3 languages and spend their summer in Europe (at least not to our face).

OP does a huge disservice to her kids by not teaching them another language and her heritage. She is taking something beautiful and enriching away from her kids. Something that will make them smarter, more self aware, more able to see things in perspective, academic benefits, etc.

You keep referencing race and yes, my kids and I are white and I guess blend in (not even sure what that means nowadays) with the white American kids… so what?

So what?

Not op here but pp, you are the reason white people are often stereotyped as being clueless.
As immigrants, passing as white in the US where no one will question that you belong here, versus a non-white immigrant who will face various struggles to feel like they belong in this country, is a whole different ball game. And yes, sometimes feeling like they belong in america can be more important to these kids development and sense of identity than being multilingual and knowing their parents ancestry.

Mind-boggling, I know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The second gen kid I knew told his parents forcing the heritage language that he was American and had no interest in learning their heritage language. His priority was in being an American only.

He is. His parent's heritage is foreign to him.

I'm the PP here. Yes. He told his parents he had no interest in speaking their language and that he was an American
and wanted to only speak English since he was an American. He was a proud American kid.

Well Americans who speaks many languages are Americans too. That person is an idiot. Every American is different.

If we were all the same it would be a very boring world