Being identified as bilingual is a trait that people would not be astonished by, considering the fact that at least 20 percent of the American population speaks more than one language. Even with this being the case, I am proud of being bilingual. Since learning my own native language was a struggle for me, it was rewarding to have learned a completely foreign one. It was not till I turned six when I finally learned how to pronounce my C’s and R’s in Spanish. This took a long year of speech therapy, which was enjoyable, albeit strange. I remember that one of the exercises employed licking jelly off my face, which somehow did aid my progress. I overcame my impediment thanks to that therapy and it allowed me to better communicate with my family.
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Due to this, in one moment I was learning how to properly speak Spanish and the next I was needed to learn a different language. Also, moving was difficult because I needed to leave behind my friends, my family, and the culture I grew up in. Making friends was tough, especially due to the language barrier. The most English I knew by that point extended to only a few words. All I knew was a song that taught me how to say “chicken” and “window.” However, picking up on a language as a child is easier, so I absorbed the language quickly. The ESL program that I was placed in also ameliorated the stress of learning English and making new friends. As a result, it took me less than two years in ESL to be moved to a “normal” class. Furthermore, traversing through these two languages at the age of seven was confusing at times. Spanish, though, always managed to drive away the homesickness so forgetting it was never an option.
Although I was young and only had attained little knowledge of English, I always felt useful. Particularly, when my mom needed help navigating through the English terrain that encompassed our new lives, I felt needed. Being bilingual made me feel essential to my family and to this day, I still love translating for my mom. Although back then, it felt more like a burden, my bilingualism was a means for bridging two facets of my life
Due to this, in one moment I was learning how to properly speak Spanish and the next I was needed to learn a different language. Also, moving was difficult because I needed to leave behind my friends, my family, and the culture I grew up in. Making friends was tough, especially due to the language barrier. The most English I knew by that point extended to only a few words. All I knew was a song that taught me how to say “chicken” and “window.” However, picking up on a language as a child is easier, so I absorbed the language quickly. The ESL program that I was placed in also ameliorated the stress of learning English and making new friends. As a result, it took me less than two years in ESL to be moved to a “normal” class. Furthermore, traversing through these two languages at the age of seven was confusing at times. Spanish, though, always managed to drive away the homesickness so forgetting it was never an option.
Although I was young and only had attained little knowledge of English, I always felt useful. Particularly, when my mom needed help navigating through the English terrain that encompassed our new lives, I felt needed. Being bilingual made me feel essential to my family and to this day, I still love translating for my mom. Although back then, it felt more like a burden, my bilingualism was a means for bridging two facets of my life