Comments on: Speak Like a Native

By: Multilingual Mania

Multilingual Mania — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:07:45 +0000

What really is a "native accent" these days, anyway? In Spanish all of the country's have such a different form of pronunciation, in my perspective. The same with English-the south, California, the east, etc. I am a native English speaker and obnoxious know it alls always feel the need to correct me in my pronunciation. I say "pen" pronounced like "pin" because that is the way that I talk and I've been corrected numerous times. When I say "roof" people laugh because apparently I am not saying it to their liking. Once when I said "wolf" and I pronounce it like "woof"-and another teacher actually had the audacity to tell me, "Wow, and you teach English language development to kids who are learning to English, and you can barely pronounce English yourself?" Haha! The funny thing is that I can probably bet that I am more literate in English that the people who have nitpicked my pronunciation in my NATIVE LANGUAGE! I bet you are probably more literate than most of the ignorant fools who have made these comments to you. People are always going to criticize something, because people are sooooo insecure!! xoxo .-= Multilingual Mania´s last blog ..Bilingual Parenting: A Laissez Faire Approach to Raising Bilingual Children =-.

By: Elisa

Elisa — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 23:57:41 +0000

I could feel my nostrils flaring with anger because I could understand your frustation. I think it's laziness on their part, not willing to take the time to hear you out. I too have the same problem with pronouncing certain words. Ship, chip. Maybe because we moved to the States from Mexico when I was 8 and being from Chihuahua we tend to emphasize the -ch.. And Tati couldn't have said it better. Kids should learn two languages in school earlier in their education not wait until they are in middle school. .-= Elisa´s last blog ..Will You Be My Friend? =-.

By: Juliana

Juliana — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:50:53 +0000

Roxana, I never told her directly but I assumed she knew since my parents don’t speak English. My husband is on board with me since he truly regrets he can only speak English. I think we would do ok since the kids will be exposed to both English and Spanish

By: Juliana

Juliana — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:47:09 +0000

Ana, I am not changin my mind, furthermore my parents don’t speak English so my children need to learn so they can communicate with their abuelos. My husband supports me 100% and he is learning Spanish too. I never saw that one coming from my mother in law so I am still hurt

By: Tati

Tati — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:03:24 +0000

Isn't it funny how different accents are appreciated. I know when anyone hears people from England speaking English in the US, they think it sounds divine. They love hearing them speak. But if someone has an accent in English from speaking Spanish, people seem to look down on them! It's so sad. I think if everyone in the US had to learn a second language, we would be much better off. They would have a broader perspective and be able to understand those learning English better and have a little empathy!! I have found people from Latin America to be much nicer when it comes to accepting me with all my little errors. People speaking English as their first language need to be nicer... .-= Tati´s last blog ..Video: Sami el Heladero =-.

By: Roxana S.

Roxana S. — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 02:35:51 +0000

In fact, this is exactly one of the issues I’ve been meaning to write about. As Ana Lilian says, although it’ll be difficult without the family’s support, it’s well worth it and the results will speak for themselves. Just out of curiosity, did she have no idea you were planning on raising your future kids bilingual?

By the way, the only way your “accent” would affect your children would be if you were the only person in the world that spoke to them in the language in question. In an ideal world, we should be able to inform people as to the reality about bilingualism and its benefits. This is definitely one of the missions of SpanglishBaby, but sometimes it’s impossible to do this with some people.

Please hang in there and come back as often as you’d like for support! We’re here for you and we totally understand you!!

By: Roxana S.

Roxana S. — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 02:29:30 +0000

Great comment! I had never really thought about it this way. Thanks for sharing!

By: Roxana S.

Roxana S. — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 02:28:20 +0000

Gracias, Sisi! And thanks for sharing that memory from your childhood. I had no idea! La gente si que es ignorante!!
I know my English is fine, but thanks to these two events, I was reminded of the fact that I’ll probably never sound like a near-native speaker… Then again, although I may not sound like a native speaker, I’m proficient in all the other areas of this, my second language

By: Beth Butler

Beth Butler — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:56:10 +0000

Oh my! Are we in the 21st Century? Is this the advanced United States of America we are referring to and its citizens who hope to compete in this very global economy? With comments being made to fellow citizens it will be hard to surpass other countries that embrace multiple languages and diversity. I find it sad to read what many of you are sharing and to think of the many similar comments I have encountered while sharing my passion for second language learning. .-= Beth Butler´s last blog ..How to Introduce Opposites to Young Children in Two Languages =-.

By: Ana Lilian

Ana Lilian — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:51:30 +0000

Ouch, Juliana! That´s probably one of the biggest obstacles in raising bilingual children-not having your family behind you. But don´t change your mind because time will prove how right you were. And, we are the only ones who know what´s good for our children.