Image source: Speculum Mundi
Editor’s note: We continue our coverage of NPR’s special series “Two Languages, Many Voices” with a preview of today’s story, which will air on Morning Edition, related to bilingual families and technology.
Access to the internet and being able to afford a computer doesn’t necessarily mean one can make use of either. This is the case for many Latino immigrants in the United States.
The Bilingual Families and Technology report in the NPR series, “Two Languages, Many Voices: Latinos in the U.S.” gives us a glimpse into what it’s like to live in today’s world without being able to access things that are now increasingly available online.
The problem for the immigrant parents is two-fold; Often times not only do they not know how to use the technology, but lack of English skills plays an equal role — That’s where the children come in.
Without the help of their bilingual children, many parents would not be able to use online bill pay, get driving directions, assist with homework research, or find local businesses. The bilingual children of immigrants, with a foot in each world, have traditionally always shouldered a lot of responsibility in helping non-English speaking parents, but that is even more so today.
I love this report by NPR because I’ve seen this same scenario play out in my own home. While I’m a native English speaker and I can cruise the internet with ease, my husband, a native Spanish speaker from El Salvador who had very little experience with computers upon arriving in the United States, has often needed assistance.
Over the years my husband, intelligent and determined as he is, has learned a lot. He speaks English proficiently enough that he is now attending a college level class for the first time, and he now knows his way around the world wide web. However he would be the first to admit that he didn’t get to where he’s at without the help of our bilingual children clicking the mouse for him every now and then.
I saw it all the time when I worked in the library. Children know how to use the computer but sometimes can’t navigate the websites that were designed for adults. It makes for frustrated parents and kids want to help but are still kids. Not a happy scene.
Isabel, that is certainly much harder on younger children! They’re expected to translate documents meant for much older people and some parents may not understand that just because their child is fluent in English – doesn’t mean they’re fluent at an adult reading comprehension level.
It’s amazing what some of these children do on a daily basis for their parents.
This is not new. I was translating and conducting business for my mother as a child,almost 40 years ago. I dealt with bankers, Insurance people, teachers and clergy. My least favorite was having to fill out the frequent publishers clearinghouse sweepstakes that my mom was always wanting to enter. I still have the piece of paper where I wrote out the spelling of the numbers so that she could use it to help her when she wrote checks. Research has been done regarding this phenomena, and it has found that this “real life” literacy can make up for lack of books in the home in many less affluent immigrant households, and can promote self confidence and improve academic abilities.
Sisi, you made me laugh at having to fill out Publisher’s Clearinghouse sweepstakes. That would frustrate even the most patient of people
The research you mention is really fascinating. I’d love to read more about it but it makes perfect sense from just the little you shared.
My sister-in-law figured out some time ago not to believe one of my nephew’s “translations” of information that came home from the school. Instead she herself goes to the school and finds someone who will speak to her in English slowly enough so she can understand. At one point my nephew had his mom convinced South Park was a suitable show for the kids including his little brother, age 4 at the time, until I was there one day and translated for her– for real– EXACTLY what they were saying.
He’s 13 now and recently is allowed to use a computer they received for Christmas last year from us, only because by now his little sister is proficient enough in English to peek over his shoulder and figure out what he is doing on it, and he’s not allowed to use it unless she’s there! My older nephew who is 15 does seem to really have greater self confidence and responsibility toward the family because of sometimes being needed to translate. But he is very hard of hearing so it often falls to his slightly younger brother, who even sometimes will pull the wool over his parent’s eyes just thinking it’s funny.
It’s a real challenge!!! My sister-in-law has a learning disability and got as far as 5th grade, back home. And she’s pretty busy with 4 kids. So she has a difficult time really learning English well. But one way or another, she manages to keep up with things. I really admire how she does that. I also think it makes the kids feel more responsible for each other and really care about each other even more. Everybody has to work together or who knows what Alex would get into.
Ah, I’ve seen this too! You guys are smart to find a way to keep an eye on him. Very good use of a little sister’s natural instinct/tendency to tattle. LOL.