tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post3892352545524125439..comments2024-01-24T11:41:28.022+00:00Comments on A Cuban In London: Living in a Bilingual World (The One About the Linguistic Ruse)A Cuban In Londonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-17313528459037542622020-07-14T11:40:07.068+01:002020-07-14T11:40:07.068+01:00My name is Mrs Aisha Usman, am a Citizen Of Singa...My name is Mrs Aisha Usman, am a Citizen Of Singapore. Have you been looking for a loan? Do you need an urgent personal loan or business loan?contact Dr. Mark Thomas FOIRM Ronnie Finance Ltd he help me with a loan of $85,000 some days ago after been scammed of $8,000 from a woman claiming to been a loan lender but i thank God today that i got my loan worth $85,000.Feel free to contact the company for a genuine financial service. Email: markthomasfinanceltd@gmail.com<br /><br />Whats-App no +919667837169<br />Dr. Mark Thomas<br /><br />LOAN APPLICATION DETAILS<br />Name:…………<br />Address…………<br />Loan Amount:……<br />Loan duration…<br />Monthly income…………<br />Nationality……<br />Country………<br />Occupation......<br />State…………<br />Zip/Code………<br />Gender…………<br />Age…………<br />Marital Status……………<br />Telephone………………<br /><br />FORM Ronnie Finance Ltd<br />Dr. Mark ThomasMr. Mark Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15193114867258359713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-60694552781241673142009-12-14T15:58:03.508+00:002009-12-14T15:58:03.508+00:00Genial!! poquito a poco!
Un abrazo!Genial!! poquito a poco!<br /><br />Un abrazo!Morganahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03584503350300103507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-11884884485445281412009-12-13T21:51:22.581+00:002009-12-13T21:51:22.581+00:00Hello London,
Your post brought back memories of t...Hello London,<br />Your post brought back memories of trying to raise my (our) children to be fully bilingual in French and English, something that would have worked had we remained in France, but which fell apart once in Canada. <br />They went to schools in Canada where the language of instruction was French, but surrounded by English and with a perfectly bilingual father who opted to speak to them in his second language, French just could not keep up. <br />I can well understand your pleasure at hearing your children use Spanish spontaneously, and they are far better off socially, culturally and neuologically for being able to speak more than one language. <br />The Scandinavian countries do this so very well, by not dubbing English-language movies or television shows, for one. They also have the incentive that comes from the dominance of English as a global language, something French, Spanish and others cannot quite compete with. I'm a firm believer that the acquisition of a second language should be mandatory in every school. <br />Very enjoyable post as always, Cuban. It doesn't matter what you write about; the quality of your writing is a big part of what draws me in.Deborahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10892637441668897411noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-80352176366275075692009-12-13T11:17:51.633+00:002009-12-13T11:17:51.633+00:00Thank you very much for your kind comments.
Greet...Thank you very much for your kind comments.<br /><br />Greetings from London.A Cuban In Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-17752656667068193902009-12-13T09:31:40.181+00:002009-12-13T09:31:40.181+00:00PS Mama Shujaa - loved your story! I think it'...PS Mama Shujaa - loved your story! I think it's great that a (nearly) eleven year old has such a strong mind that he is determined to learn an international language. And how I wish I could speak Kiswahili! Or even isiZulu or isiXhosa, but (despite having an Afrikaans ouma, or grandmother) the only language I can speak is my mother tongue, English, with a smattering of greetings in the other languages. My parents and sister speak three local languages, but somehow I missed the linguistics boat. <br /><br />(Win one of five unique gifts from South Africa in the Christmas Contest on my blog)Judy Croome | @judy_croomehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17455755011354905278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-33120948000715899182009-12-13T09:23:09.610+00:002009-12-13T09:23:09.610+00:00Delightful post. Pity the poor children of South A...Delightful post. Pity the poor children of South Africa. We have eleven (just in case you missed that, let me repeat it) 11, official languages. The majority of people in South Africa speak three or four or more languages. Unfortunately, I'm not one of them. <br /><br /><br />(Win one of five unique prizes from South Africa in the Christmas Contest on my blog)Judy Croome | @judy_croomehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17455755011354905278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-38803022623336155482009-12-13T03:49:33.342+00:002009-12-13T03:49:33.342+00:00To be bilingual is a gift and in the future
it wil...To be bilingual is a gift and in the future<br />it will be a necessity. Ahh...teenagers,<br />children are endlessly enlightening and<br />amusing.<br /><br /> Cuban in London, please come by and leave<br />your opinion on my dialogue with the poet<br />Michele Battiste - Thank you.Cynthiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10256391836026637655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-85409424332506576432009-12-12T21:19:00.223+00:002009-12-12T21:19:00.223+00:00Such clever children! I so wish that both my Russ...Such clever children! I so wish that both my Russian parents, who arrived quite separately in the USA as teenagers, would have wanted to retain their mother tongue. Maybe it was the Russian revolution that shifted their allegiance. Instead they both embraced their new language, to the exclusion of my having any bilingual opportunity. I'm still sorry for that!Lynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11985979258848310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-65493845466304827462009-12-12T20:06:21.502+00:002009-12-12T20:06:21.502+00:00Many thanks for your lovely feedback.
Greetings f...Many thanks for your lovely feedback.<br /><br />Greetings from London.A Cuban In Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-68883635229770115532009-12-12T19:57:19.471+00:002009-12-12T19:57:19.471+00:00What an interesting post. I loved it. It is so w...What an interesting post. I loved it. It is so wonderful when children can learn their parents' mother tongue(s) despite the lack of Hispanic surroundings. It shows the parents' dedication. Wish I could take pride in the same sense of dedication. <br /><br />Can I share a short story with you? Oddly enough, our kitindamimba son (last born) has decided to teach himself German. It all happened in the last couple weeks, while Husband was away. He picked it up on Youtube and actually convinced me to buy him a German language book a couple of days later. After I got over some initial hurt feelings, because Kiswahili is my mother tongue and Ibo is his father's first language, I was very impressed with his diligence and determination. But if I catch him with a torch in the wee hours of the morning, I'm not sure how I will react. He just turned eleven recently. He also promised that he would focus on Kiswahili some time next summer. I think it is time for another extended trip back home. :-)<br /><br />Lovely post, thanks!<br /><br />Mama ShujaaHana Njau-Okolohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15978662559579409259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-17908252151915432882009-12-12T10:05:13.102+00:002009-12-12T10:05:13.102+00:00interesting, as kids usually are
but apart from th...interesting, as kids usually are<br />but apart from that, I wish I was bilingual<br />I guess its still possible...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12492971657533007449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-76003002228940544022009-12-12T05:21:37.221+00:002009-12-12T05:21:37.221+00:00I think I can relate to this entirely. My family i...I think I can relate to this entirely. My family is bilingual and we do the little bits and pieces of English and Arabic, and sometimes even French - whatever word comes up in whatever language first works. We understand one another, but others look at us like we're crazy. <br /><br />The very good news is that your children's world, as colorful as it is now, will become even more colorful as they develop an awareness for other cultures and a desire to learn about them and experiment with life in this big/small world. Our world becomes so much more of an experience when we're able to communicate and understand in more ways. Excellent post, Cuban, as usual!<br /><br />NevineNevine Sultanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08794887684860140819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-21122003112773122552009-12-12T01:37:18.713+00:002009-12-12T01:37:18.713+00:00Truly fascinating post, Cuban, and I love the idea...Truly fascinating post, Cuban, and I love the idea of the children using expertise in your language as a nuclear weapon for your attention, with them both engaging in a covert arms race.<br />I am English, bringing up two small Scottish boys. I still do a double-take when I hear them speaking Scottish (distinct words and usages) as their mother-tongue, and secretly yearn for a little Essex to peek through. Know what I mean?Titushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16380213493011623153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-88034520237156932502009-12-11T22:01:51.273+00:002009-12-11T22:01:51.273+00:00you are very lucky, Cuban. When I brought my child...you are very lucky, Cuban. When I brought my children to this country I was told to speak only English with them as they would otherwise not catch up with the level the other children in their local infants' school had reached. Within 8 months my son had overtaken all the other kids in his class (in English and other subjects), but by then he and his sister (too young for school) spoke almost only English and they never went back to German properly. <br /><br />Do you know if that would be the policy today?Frikohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04277167831642088694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-11566774616786543712009-12-11T20:15:47.917+00:002009-12-11T20:15:47.917+00:00This is so fascinating to read. I've *studied*...This is so fascinating to read. I've *studied* bilingualism but, as I don't have that experience in my own life, it's always interesting to hear others' thoughts.<br /><br />Incidentally, which part of Cuba are you from? We had two weeks driving around in 2007, it's a beautiful country with so many different regions, and I'd like to be able to place you on my mental map ;)Rachel Cotterillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08969719330048416996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-59560083932346562692009-12-11T17:17:56.167+00:002009-12-11T17:17:56.167+00:00That is so cute! I have an bilingual family too an...That is so cute! I have an bilingual family too and it's very strange to my friends to see me speaking to my mother is half English and have Gujarati. But it's perfectly normal to me. I don't even think of it.<br /><br />My brother and sisters and I normally speak English to each other but, would you believe, when we argue we do speak Gujarati. It's almost like we reserve speaking Gujarati for when we're really serious.<br /><br />We speak Gujarati to our mother and English to our father. I don't know why, it just worked out that way.<br /><br />JaiJai Joshihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04858987106548357551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-52345657780938410782009-12-11T15:59:56.967+00:002009-12-11T15:59:56.967+00:00I'm sure special dictionaries of rude words in...I'm sure special dictionaries of rude words in all languages are available...probably online! They can use those when needed...<br />xRachel Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11803852725693518924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-74027735519050197522009-12-11T15:56:23.194+00:002009-12-11T15:56:23.194+00:00My hat is off to you, Cuban. This is a huge accomp...My hat is off to you, Cuban. This is a huge accomplishment. Your unflagging dedication to language is leaving a legacy. Congratulations!Dutchbabyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00844296297519447526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-25195860069856331352009-12-11T14:42:06.271+00:002009-12-11T14:42:06.271+00:00Cuban your children would have to much respect for...Cuban your children would have to much respect for you and their Mom to use an offensive word to either of you in either language.<br /><br />They are so lucky to speak a second language. In a way to have two chances in the world.<br /><br />I respect you very much.<br /><br />Love Renee xoxoxoReneehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11785932958464359112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-57632684774148419582009-12-11T14:41:40.495+00:002009-12-11T14:41:40.495+00:00Many thanks for your lovely feedback. I have to ad...Many thanks for your lovely feedback. I have to admit that Daughter (I only refer to my family with initial capital and not possessive pronoun in my Living in a Bilingual World columns, by the way) is already attempting to translate anything and everything from English to Spanish, so Michael Jackson has become MichaEL JackSON (that 'j' by the way, is pronounced like the English 'h'). :-)<br /><br />Greetings from London.A Cuban In Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-45016068567712233762009-12-11T13:51:21.783+00:002009-12-11T13:51:21.783+00:00Yes, your children are really fortunate in that yo...Yes, your children are really fortunate in that you foster their facility with both languages. I grew up fully bilingual, and even though it resulted from "forced" circumstances, i.e. my mother never learned English, I have been forever grateful that I know both languages. I imagine your children will be grateful too.Judith Mercadohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13739476600999112092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-71524387172305706322009-12-11T11:08:03.030+00:002009-12-11T11:08:03.030+00:00My grandson speaks in English to his Australian bo...My grandson speaks in English to his Australian born mother, who's also fluent in German and German to his German born father. Now he's just past two our grandson uses both languages and comes out with the oddest mixtures. <br /><br />It's wonderful to hear.<br /><br />Sadly in a bid to assimilate, both my parents stopped speaking in Dutch to one another and to us their children when I was still very small. As a consequence I can understand Dutch when it's spoken slowly, I can even decipher the written words if I say them out loud, but I cannot speak very much Dutch at all. <br /><br />I'd love to be bilingual. I consider it one of the greatest gifts imaginable and I admire anyone who can master more than one language. <br /><br />Your children, Cuban, are truly fortunate.Elisabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04015624747225433940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-38078835932150010062009-12-11T07:36:07.267+00:002009-12-11T07:36:07.267+00:00I agree with PurestGreen. Beautiful post; glad to...I agree with PurestGreen. Beautiful post; glad to hear the children are talking well to each other in Spanish. I'll have to check out that bar someday.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-11161907560688405092009-12-11T05:51:36.400+00:002009-12-11T05:51:36.400+00:00My brother and I never spoke German as children, a...My brother and I never spoke German as children, although I had more interest in it and could understand a bit. I studied it later in high school and university and am glad I did. There is something about knowing the language of your elders that makes you understand more about where you come from. I sometimes wonder whether my brother feels cut off from his ancestry, only speaking English.PurestGreenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10860331983741242940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-31702124331638438992009-12-11T05:12:15.463+00:002009-12-11T05:12:15.463+00:00very cool...very cool...Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03313726816776097840noreply@blogger.com