Everyday Parenting - the language barrier
My daughter, Clara, attends a British school. It’s the sweetest school and the teachers are awesome. I couldn’t be happier with the situation she is in, the opportunities she is given, the kids that she calls her friends.
In addition to getting a great start in her education, Clara is also now beginning to speak the Queen’s English. Aside from the pronunciation differences, she is correcting me when I use American English!!!
Example:
me: “Clara please throw that in the garbage.”
Clara: “Mother, it’s called the BIN.”
Oh, okay. Really, what can you do with that except just start calling it the bin?? And this is just one of many words that have changed in our household…
So, I actually think it’s pretty cute that Clara is picking up British English. However, the other day, someone asked me if it bothered me that Clara was speaking differently than Erick and I do. I was a little puzzled by the question - really, should I be worried about this? We will eventually move back to the States and she will go back to speaking American English. Simple.
Would any of you be bothered by your kids speaking with a different accent?
Oh, and can I just say, that I LOVE the way she pronounces “Yoga” in her new-found accent! Brilliant!!
November 20th, 2008 at 3:44 am
Isn’t that a little like asking a mama of mixed-race children if it bothers her that her children look different from her?
Iris has a pretty strong French accent. It was stronger when she was younger — and very cute.
What I can’t get over is the “Mother.” If my kids called me mother? Now that would be strange. :-))
November 20th, 2008 at 4:03 am
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November 20th, 2008 at 9:07 am
Adorable! I’m dying for my DS to pick up a bit of his dad’s (nearly gone) Australian accent. He’s got a few words - like whaugh-teh (for water). We try to use the Australian and American words for things like “nappy/diaper” and “sweater/jumper” “rubbish/garbage”. But, I guess, in answer to your question - even if my DH wasn’t Australian, I’d be beside myself with delight if my child spoke with a European/Australian accent … it’s the cutest thing ever!
November 20th, 2008 at 11:26 am
My parents are both from Budapest Hungary, but my brother and I were brought up here in the states, so we have VERY different accents from our parents.
When I was really young, I used to pronounce some English words the way my parents said them. So I would go to school saying “com-for-tay-bell” and “vege-eh-tay-bell” for comfortable (com-fortabull) and vegetable.
Thankfully, some kind soul would correct me.
Eh…not so big a deal to speak differently thank your parents.
November 20th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
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November 21st, 2008 at 12:00 am
Wouldn’t be bothered a bit. Communication is what’s important, no matter what it sounds like.
November 22nd, 2008 at 4:17 pm
It doesn’t bother me at all. I love the way G & P sound - too early to tell what direction V will take.
November 23rd, 2008 at 8:38 am
As long as she is learning the correct usage of the language what does it matter? I bet she sounds adorable!
November 27th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
I think it’s positively brilliant. The Brits have some gorgeous words and I love that Clara is using them. Now start putting your trash in the bin mummy!