It's also cool to see the boys through their eyes, and see how much they've changed in the nine months since we moved here.
They're bigger, taller, more confident. (Ju, of course, has lived most of his life in Brazil at this point!)
R. has lost his baby fat, and is more sure of himself physically. E. is so independent, happy to take his guitar and wander off by himself or with friends for hours.
And it's amazing to see how their Portuguese has developed. Yesterday at the pool, I watched R. chatter away in Portuguese to his grandmother (not realizing, I think, that she didn't understand a word of what he was saying.)
Their pronunciation is perfect, as I guess you'd expect at the ages of 6 and 3. E., little perfectionist that he is, even likes to correct me. (There is nothing more annoying than a six-year old correcting your pronunciation.)
I'm especially interested to observe R.'s progress. Unlike E., he doesn't have Portuguese class at school, so his learning is entirely absorptive, as it were, through immersion. He misconjugates verbs, but his intonation is perfect, and certain constructions come to him fully formed, ones that for me are a conscious effort to remember; for example, the double no--which is not the same as a double negative--that doesn't translate (não vou não).
It's also really cute to hear certain expressions come out of their mouths, like Vixe! (short for Virgen María), or Ay meu Deus do Ceu.
Even Dan and I speak Portuguese with them occasionally, although it still has a somewhat stilted feel for all of us, I think, as though we were role playing.
Ju is just beginning to say a few words (and knows a number of signs as well). And he understands Portuguese just as well as English, since Dete speaks to him in Portuguese all morning.
I'd hate for the boys to lose the Portuguese they've learned. And it's not like Spanish, where it's easy to find native speakers and other resources in the U.S.
So my question is this: Do you think it's possible or realistic for us to keep it up after we go back to the States in June?
For those of you raising bilingual kids (in a language not your own, and not the dominant language where you live), what are your secrets or suggestions?
8 comments:
We're not bilingual (which you know), but my friends who are and who want their kids to have both languages simply speak the not-English one at home, often exclusively, figuring the kids will get English at school and everywhere else outside the house. Seems fun to me! I would think maybe that reading books in Portuguese would help too, and when each kid is able to write, encouraging some writing in Portuguese--either writing letters to friends, or simply exchanging notes between family members for fun.
While I don't have kids, I worked as a bilingual nanny for english-only parents who i'm very close with for 2 summers, and I always felt like I was playing catch up after the weekend when the kids would only speak english. The mom i worked with spoke basic Spanish and tried very hard to incorporate it into their daily family routine, but the kids just didn't take her seriously with it. I would think that maybe having you and your husband start to speak more and more portuguese at home while youre still in brazil would make the transition easier once you get back stateside. It would be a disspointment, definitely, for the kids to lose the port. they've learned, but don't beat yourself up about it because it really is a daily struggle to maintain a second language!
The chances of your children maintaining the Portuguese that they have learned once they return to the US is probably pretty slim. They really would need daily interaction. If you primarily speak English with your children now that is the language that they associate with you, and it would probably be difficult to get them to accept and only use Portuguese with you. You could try to use media--books, videos, film, internet--to continue the boys to the language. If you could find a Portuguese speaker that would be great.
I was probably more dominant in Spanish than English at the age of 5. A move to Indiana took care of that. I had to relearn the language as an adult--which was probably easier, but still a struggle.
I wish you luck, because there is nothing in the world like being bilingual!
Check this out: http://brazilians.meetup.com/cities/us/pa/philadelphia/
The internet is pretty amazing.
I also recommend checking in w/ Joanna and her capoeira group...
:) Rebecca
WOW .. you already got some great advice here!
While we are heading back to the USA as well, very soon, I worry about this myself. Malu is still quite young and just starting to say words, but I still worry. My husband speaks exclusively Portuguese with her and I {American, but speak fluently} have started with English originally but I've started to switch to speaking more Portuguese with her now.
My plan for us when we move to the US will be to speak only Portuguese at home and she will speak English with friends,at school, etc.
I think books are great too, and media, music, etc. Get your hands on what material you can here before you leave. As it can be pricey in the US.
Also you would be really surprised how many Brazilians are in the US .. all over. I have looked in various cities for play group meet-ups with other Portuguese speaking children and found a ton in a ton of cities. Even if you are living in a non-metro area its still worth a look, you might be surprised. And if you can't find some in your area, maybe you could look into the closest metro area for a play group meet-up and plan to do it twice a month or something. I think any interaction with other children speaking Portuguese is GREAT, and needed.
Good Luck with your move. I hope you continue to write, as I have really enjoyed reading your blog.
Tanya @ thelocal.com.br
Hi, I came across your blog from a expat blog network. I'm from Hong Kong, but grew up in Singapore, but went to international schools. I'm currently now living in Beijing.
It will be possible for them to keep their Portuguese if you continue to speak to them everyday in Portuguese as the main language of communication (as suggested by Tanya); though I understand that might be uncomfortable for you since you mentioned that it's not your own native tongue?
Definitely buying media/books/music/etc to bring to the US will also help- but once they grow out of those material, it loses it's effectiveness. Definitely the best way is for you, as the parents, to be the main source of Portuguese for your kids.
I hope some of that helped; All the best for your move back!
Good suggestions all. Rebecca, would definitely love for them to see some capoeira in Philly. I guess I just doubt we'll be able to keep it up if it feels contrived. I do think it's worth it, though, so I'd like to try.
We'll ask their grandparents to speak to them in Portuguese, too, which will help, even if it's only a couple of hours here and there.
Your children are just adorable :)
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