Bilingual household
By trusko
@trusko (198)
April 20, 2008 2:28pm CST
Im Czech and my partner is British. We have 8 months old daughter. I talk to her only in Czech and my husband in English.
However when Im in public I find it strange to talk to her in Czech in front of my friends.
Anybody here with similar experience?
Do I just keep talking to her in Czech even in public?
thanks
1 person likes this
3 responses
@maximax8 (31046)
• United Kingdom
20 Apr 08
I think that a child that grows up in a bilingual home is very lucky. Your daughter will speak fluent Czech and English. You know English to a high standard so it might be possible for you to talk to your daughter and your friends in Czech and English if you are happy to do this. I went to university in Wales and all my lectures were in English. If another lecturer cam into the lecture room he or she spoke in Welsh to the other lecturer. I am a primary school teacher and in my first year of teaching I taught a girl with a English mum and a French dad. I also taught a girl from the Caribbean Island of Martinique. Both girls spoke in fluent French together at play time. Speaking two languages fluently is excellent.
1 person likes this
@juliefaye (1214)
• Philippines
22 Apr 08
I don't see any problem in talking to your child with your native language. Here in our country, we have lots of different dialect in every island though English is our second language. It's very amazing to hear a child talk in different language, a skill they can be proud of when they grow up.
@ellie26 (4139)
• Malaysia
21 Apr 08
I suggest that you continue to talk to your daughter in your native language, Czech. Since English is an international language, she will learn it not only from her father but also from her friends. So, just keep on talking to her in Czech even in public.