I never meant to throw away my Cantonese either, and I regret that I can’t speak as fluent as I could’ve. But once again, I never meant that Americans should ONLY learn English. It’s frustrating to see my friends’ children struggling in school with second languages, and the parents complaining about how their kids shouldn’t have to learn a second language because it affects their other courses. To me, that’s ignorance.

As for my future offspring, they can learn any second (or third) languages they wish. And I would support them.

I have so many Latino students who wish their parents would have taught or spoken to them in Spanish. I’m not Latino; I was born in the United States and am a descendant of Africa, Ireland, and the Natives of this country. I’m very proud that I know more than one language. I wish had the capacity to learn a million more, too.

Unfortunately, I was born in a monolingual household, and I would have given anything to have grown up learning another language, like an African, Celtic or indigenous language. I understand why it’s important to learn English in this country, but I think it is important to acknowledge the importance of learning another language as well.

I commend you for how far you’ve come; I hope you always take pride in your bilingual skills and pass them along to your offspring.

Chiara – Thank you! It must be great to see your stories in print. Do you still speak in your native language? I practically gave up my native language, I can still understand Cantonese, but the words don’t come out of my mouth as easily as they use to. Unless I’m drunk. Or if I’m dreaming, I can speak perfect Cantonese. Brains are a funny thing…