This is a review of the interesting articles, Twitters, Facebook posts and more which took place this week in and around our Multilingual Living universe. Thank you everyone for sharing your tips with me! Keep them coming!
Happy (Multilingual) Father’s Day
In many countries around the world, June is the month to celebrate fathers. Today is Father’s Day here in the USA. In my home, you’re hearing, “Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Vatertag!” and “Happy Father’s Day!” What are you saying? Find out how to say it in 38 languages!
Contests and Giveaways
Most of us can probably agree that getting something for free is just fun, fun, fun! Because of that, Multilingual Living is putting together some contests and giveaways. Note that some of them will only be announced via our email list. Sign up for our email list today (see top left of this page) and keep an eye on your email inbox.
Home Languages
A generation’s identity can be altered when we stand in the way of children using their home language(s). My hope is that positive changes will come from what we are learning in our generation.
- The demise of the Breton language
“For decades, French authorities have forbidden children to speak Breton in school, punishing and humiliating those who disobeyed. Very quickly speaking Breton became shameful. Few dared to speak Breton even at home and only local elders spoke it fluently. Breton is the only language in history that has declined so dramatically in such a short period of time.” CLICK HERE to watch the video.
- Stark lessons in mother tongue
“…failure to provide schooling in the language that children are most familiar with – the one that they speak at home – is a root cause of education failure…” As Margareta suggests on our Facebook page: “If a marginalized group is ‘forced’ to be schooled in a language they do not have a positive attitude to, their education is most likely going to suffer, with lack of motivation, perhaps even some form of ‘rebellion’ against that language.” Head over to the Facebook page and share your views.
How Does Being Multilingual Change Us?
The minute we make the choice to raise our children multilingually, we are also making the choice to change their lives in more ways than we can ever possibly know. Here are two articles about the way languages can change us.
- Here is a very informative article from The Edge on how language shapes the way we think. Very interesting!
- Does learning a language give you a split personality? And is this true for children growing up with more than one from the beginning?
Stories of Interest in the News
- The New York Times reports that Arabic Class Becomes a Popular Choice.
- Canada reports that more Canadians are saying ni hao!
- If you are female and live in New York, being poor and multilingual may help you graduate at the top of your class!
- As I reported in an article about the influence of sports stars on our multilingual children, referees are learning more swear words to ensure less swearing at the World Cup.
- Danes have resorted to using sign language at the World Cup 2010 to overcome the sound of the vuvuzelas!
- Twitter is a big hit in Japan as millions of Japanese ‘mumble’ online.
Have some interesting stories, tips, Tweets or comments to share? You can find Multilingual Living on Facebook, Twitter or send an email! We ALWAYS love to hear from YOU!
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