tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454634329009534853.post8583357561800510888..comments2024-03-11T19:41:06.770-07:00Comments on Non-native Bilingualism: Emotional Connection in a Non-native TongueAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05895245202923024753noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454634329009534853.post-16791403750796709822013-06-29T20:30:35.416-07:002013-06-29T20:30:35.416-07:00Thank you for your input, I really appreciate it! ...Thank you for your input, I really appreciate it! I, too, realize how hard "we" are on ourselves, as non-natives, and I think I would be a little easier on myself were I to have more access to native language speakers Kaya's age. I heard one speaking the other day at her German immersion camp and wanted to stand there and listen to her all day. I'm pretty sure her German was flowing more than K's, but at the same time, Kaya isn't a super chatty kid in general. I do think her English is better, and I do worry a bit about being able to maintain our deep level of communication if her German doesn't stay 'up to par'. Thanks again for your comments...i totally appreciate them!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05895245202923024753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454634329009534853.post-21703773592819599822013-05-29T10:22:15.962-07:002013-05-29T10:22:15.962-07:00To me it's so normal to speak English to my tw...To me it's so normal to speak English to my two boys, even though it isn't my first language. My 7 year old is completely fluent in both languages, but whenever he makes a mistake, grammar or otherwise, I cringe. But then I listen to the "naturally" bilingual kids and they make the exact same (or worse) mistakes. We who practice "artificial" bilingualism often are way more language conscious than the "natural" ones. I really admire you for choosing such a complicated language as German for your endeavor. And don't forget soon she is old enough for more complex books,where she will be treated to super-pristine grammar and vocab.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454634329009534853.post-67148989982180856572012-09-04T23:47:50.778-07:002012-09-04T23:47:50.778-07:00Busy as a Bee, now as with all of the support you&...Busy as a Bee, now as with all of the support you've given me over the years, I truly appreciate it all! Thank you! You're right...it REALLY does pay off. Kaya is fluent in two languages, and impresses me in her abilities in each. Thank you!!<br /><br />Hillary, you are the perfect example of one of the primary reasons I wanted to start this blog in the first place. Thank you SO much for your comments, for spending the time to commit yourself to this journey, and for sharing of your self so authentically! I hope to hear more of your journey down the road...!<br />with love, <br />TamaraAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05895245202923024753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454634329009534853.post-26569386475314723232012-09-04T23:42:39.161-07:002012-09-04T23:42:39.161-07:00As LATE as my response is to your comment, thank y...As LATE as my response is to your comment, thank you! I really appreciate your support!! =)<br />TamaraAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05895245202923024753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454634329009534853.post-23880758055631107892012-08-28T07:35:48.555-07:002012-08-28T07:35:48.555-07:00Hello Tamara,
I am sitting here nearly tearing up...Hello Tamara,<br /><br />I am sitting here nearly tearing up after reading this entry. I am a French teacher (non-native speaker) and I have begun the journey of speaking French to my 14 month old in this past year. Your thoughts, feelings, and experiences really resonate with me and I have been having lots of that inner monologue this month myself. Reading this has inspired me to push through my fears and concerns. Thank you SO much for making me feel validated and less lonely in my own head!! :) I shall keep pushing on!<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />Hillary in Cincinnati, OhioHillary Pecsokhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16644813975261377784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454634329009534853.post-89051776745564457452011-03-19T00:30:28.782-07:002011-03-19T00:30:28.782-07:00Don't give up!!!! I'm here to tell you tha...Don't give up!!!! I'm here to tell you that those walls will appear and reappear! I have three children 10, 7 and 4 and they are trilingual today. I was raised bilingual in California (Spanish and English) but sometimes it felt unnatural to me to speak in Spanish because English is my true native language! My children must make a lot of mistakes in Spanish because I sure do! But they speak it fluently! They can communicate with me and with others in all three languages. Don't give up, the rewards are too great! You will see! Try building your German community there where you live. Playdates are great, even if just the parents speak the target language initially!Maria Babinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06349790430538590668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454634329009534853.post-46001390615975794312011-03-15T14:33:34.169-07:002011-03-15T14:33:34.169-07:00Jen,
It's great to hear from you...I've b...Jen, <br />It's great to hear from you...I've been to your blog and enjoy it a great deal. Looking forward to finishing your post about the Maeuschen, too!<br />Thanks!<br />TamaraAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05895245202923024753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454634329009534853.post-13571784167856095172011-03-15T14:24:06.527-07:002011-03-15T14:24:06.527-07:00Tamara, if we had moved to the UK last year, I wou...Tamara, if we had moved to the UK last year, I would be a similar position to you i.e. speaking in a non-native language with my kids (albeit with a native speaker husband to back me up). So go for it, sounds like your German is just great- and hey, my English sometimes feels like it's letting me down these days, so maybe our situation today is not sooo far removed either....Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10072014710803235038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454634329009534853.post-27567854600395235562011-03-10T09:43:42.865-08:002011-03-10T09:43:42.865-08:00-Mamay, we each do what we can in the moment that ...-Mamay, we each do what we can in the moment that we are doing it, right? As much as we can give them, in all areas of life, is wonderful, as far as my outlook is concerned. If we get hung up on what we're not doing, we have less energy to do anymore and see the good in what we're already doing!<br />Solnushka, thank you for letting me know that you're here and interested and learning. It's the reason why I write....well, one of them...knowing that you guys are all out there with similar thoughts, feelings and situations. Thanks so much for your vote of confidence, and I look forward to hearing from you more soon!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05895245202923024753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454634329009534853.post-67382743351485830202011-03-09T23:49:19.015-08:002011-03-09T23:49:19.015-08:00Strangely, given that there is no way I could do i...Strangely, given that there is no way I could do it, I hadn't really thought about what a strain raising a child the way you are is for the non-native speaker in charge of the non- native language input. And I do read you blog!<br /><br />Anyway, glad you are persisting!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6454634329009534853.post-52185215272328820822011-01-29T16:18:32.306-08:002011-01-29T16:18:32.306-08:00Thanks for this post. I wish my English was as goo...Thanks for this post. I wish my English was as good as your German. I spoke only English to my daughter for 2 months and then I quit, overwhelmed with insecurity and fear. Now I speak a little English to her everyday, and I also try to create English environments with Tv, music or games.mamaymuchascosasmashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07210356297430265305noreply@blogger.com