Can Erik Be Trilingual or even Quadlingual?
As you can see in the title, we are expecting Erik to be at least bilingual, as in knowing both Chinese (Cantonese) and English as a minimum. However, here lies our challenge of introducing Erik to become trilingual with the addition of Hindi, since Daddy speaks it.
Why So Many Languages?
Honestly, it is not that many. Only in the U.S., is it rare to speak multiple languages. In asia and in europe, it is very common to speak more than 2 languages. It eases communicationa lot easier. In addition, I've even read an article long time back that if you are fluent in more than 2 languages from the time you were a baby and onward, you actually age slower!! How wonderful is that to hear?
So How Does It Work?
I've read various blogs and books regarding introduction of languages of how one parent speaks only in language A to the baby/child and the other speaks in language B to the bab/child and then language C between the parents. I personally would like to try that route but Daddy is hesitating a bit to do strictly Hindi with Erik. But don't get me wrong, Hindi, is defintely spoken in the household, just not directly to Erik. Hindi is spoken between Grandma Katy and Daddy from time to time. In addition, Erik is exposed to Hindi through the weekly "Hindi Movie Night" that Grandma loves to watch! ...and I do notice that Erik is loving the Hindi song & dance numbers.
What About Quadlingual
Well, one activity that Daddy and Mommy have decided to do as Erik grows a little older is to learn a new language together as a family!! What a wonderful activity to do, where everybody starts on the same step and then help each other learn, practice, and converse in it? What language? Not sure yet, but we're already leaning towards French!
So that's all for now, au revoir!
Why So Many Languages?
Honestly, it is not that many. Only in the U.S., is it rare to speak multiple languages. In asia and in europe, it is very common to speak more than 2 languages. It eases communicationa lot easier. In addition, I've even read an article long time back that if you are fluent in more than 2 languages from the time you were a baby and onward, you actually age slower!! How wonderful is that to hear?
So How Does It Work?
I've read various blogs and books regarding introduction of languages of how one parent speaks only in language A to the baby/child and the other speaks in language B to the bab/child and then language C between the parents. I personally would like to try that route but Daddy is hesitating a bit to do strictly Hindi with Erik. But don't get me wrong, Hindi, is defintely spoken in the household, just not directly to Erik. Hindi is spoken between Grandma Katy and Daddy from time to time. In addition, Erik is exposed to Hindi through the weekly "Hindi Movie Night" that Grandma loves to watch! ...and I do notice that Erik is loving the Hindi song & dance numbers.
What About Quadlingual
Well, one activity that Daddy and Mommy have decided to do as Erik grows a little older is to learn a new language together as a family!! What a wonderful activity to do, where everybody starts on the same step and then help each other learn, practice, and converse in it? What language? Not sure yet, but we're already leaning towards French!
So that's all for now, au revoir!
posted by Tabitha | 9:31 PM
1 Comments:
As you know we are going tri-lingual as well and I highly recommend it. So far we've had no big issues and the only "downside" is that Daniel speaks a bit less than his friends at the same age. But the difference is fast diminishing. At age 18 months you could clearly tell we were doing three languages.
Considering how global the world has become I think several languages for your child is a great gift. It's very common in other countries but not in US (except for Latin families).
Oh, wife is now talking about shaving Annika's head..... At least this time I'm prepared!
Nice weekend
AD
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