by Lillyswawa

Created on: September 24, 2010

More children are born to migrating parents in the United States each year and one concern of the parents is that, as their offspring are raised and educated in a predominantly English-speaking country - which is as it should be -  Mexican, Haitian, Cuban, European, and even French Canadian children may lose their culture, and the language of their parents and grandparents, entirely.

Of course, these groups are not the only ones involved when discussing the assimilation of babies and children into American culture nowadays, they are the most talked-about currently, as well as Middle Eastern Muslims immigrating over the past decade.

It is never a good idea to prevent any child from learning as much as possible about their personal history - that of their family tree - and, about all the aspects of the native land(s) of their parents. Culture, history, geography are all an integral part of their existence as people on this earth, the Earth we all share in common. Language is a vital aspect of this, as well.

When a child is old enough to travel to his parents' homeland, he or she is most often whisked off to meet proud grandparents and aunts, uncles, and cousins for the first time. While visiting, they no doubt get an opportunity to listen to the language of their ancestry being spoken by all  with exuberance and ease.

Where they were very likely to have had a chance to hear Spanish, Haitian, Canadian French, or Farsi being spoken freely in the U.S., they now have an opportunity to really absorb the full impact of what this language sounds like to the human ear when spoken regularly and without reservation in an atmosphere of ethnic foods, music, clothing, and art decor.

It surely must be an exhilarating way to get the fullness of a rich heritage!

Parent's would be failing to "complete the picture" if they did not follow through with the speaking of the native language themselves whenever "going home for a visit". Of course, the choice remains with each of them.

And, this author would add that, any parent who does not attempt to learn and speak the language of the country in which they decide to live and work does their children a great disservice while sending the message that the entirety of the nation is somehow inferior to their own!

Think about it. Why would you choose to live in ANY foreign country if the language of that country is not worth practicing and passing on to your children and your childrens' children?

For some, immigrating to The U.S. (or anywhere for that matter) means something different for everyone. For some, America will become a second home only, possibly even a temporary one. But for many, she will become HOME, - exclusively!

The child born in this country will no doubt wish to know of their heritage and keep certain cultural and/or religious traditions. However, they may choose to view their birth on free soil as a sort of emancipation and although finding their history, language, etc. interesting, they may choose to call English, not merely their FIRST, but the ONLY language they will ever use.

(Which is not so bad since it remains the International language of business and the most widely -spoken anywhere!)

So, do speak your language freely, parents, but try to remember, - your child will (as with many decisions) wish to make his or her own choices concerning language, as they grow into adulthood.

... After all, the freedom to choose their own course in life is the very reason you wished them to be born here in the first place, is it not?

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