Friday 22 May 2009

I thought she was fluent...?

People sometimes aren´t sure what to expect from a 4-year-old bilingual, and sometimes think that they can get Laniña to "perform" her Spanish for them - with very mixed results. One friend recently exclaimed, "Oh, I thought she was fluent!" which at least gave us a chance to talk about it; I can only assume that many others are thinking inwardly how mad I must be to keep talking Spanish to a child who doesn´t seem to speak it!!

Thing is, as far as I can tell, she does speak it; she merely in many contexts chooses not to. Indeed, as a 4-year-old, I suspect that in many cases she´s only beginning to make any sort of conscious choice at all. She is aware now, and indeed proud (at the moment) that she has two languages, but in most instances her speech is fairly automatic and, in common with most young children she uses whole phrases and words which she nearly understands, often with comic effect!

So when someone suddenly demands that she speak in Spanish, I can almost see the wheels whirring in her mind: "D'uh, that´s stupid, you don´t speak Spanish!" Obviously she doesn´t really say or think that, it´s just what´s in my mind. What I think I mean is that Spanish for her is not really a performance thing, not like dancing or singing which one obviously does for an audience "Watch me, watch me!"

So when someone says "Speak some Spanish!" the natural reaction is simply, "Huh?"

Quite right, too! If our wider society could get out of its monolingual English-only mindset and the sheer amazement that some people actually do manage to speak other languages every day, the whole thing would seem a lot more normal!

25 comments:

Rea said...

The performance issue is terribly annoying. It feels like dumb dog tricks, "Say something in Spanish for me". rrrrrrr....

notsospanish.wordpress.com

Anonymous said...

Fantastic site, I had not come across www.speakingtomydaughterinspanish.blogspot.com previously in my searches!
Continue the superb work!

Anonymous said...

Lilian is the greatest?!?


http://flurryinsurance.info

nesomja said...

Hello, are you still around and are you still speaking Spanish to your daughter? if so I'd love to hear from you, I am doing something similar with my son. I am also particularly interested in how to find Spanish soundtrack DVDs.

nesomja said...

Hello, are you still around and are you still speaking Spanish to your daughter? if so I'd love to hear from you, I am doing something similar with my son. I am also particularly interested in how to find Spanish soundtrack DVDs.

Anonymous said...

hi nesomja, we're still here but the blog is now largely suspended; every now and again i consider making an update post but we're really just too busy (i'm not even sure if i remember the login details)! i still speak spanish with my daughter, though i won't put pressure on her and she largely speaks english to me. apparently this is called translanguaging and is not uncommon. at most i suggest that if she wants to speak spanish well, she needs to practise - and sometimes she does. her comprehension is good and her english is perfect. she has also shown considerable interest in learning other languages, which is no bad thing. loads of dvds have spanish soundtracks - check their details on amazon. best wishes.

Anonymous said...

Peyton Manning Womens Jersey axiotakix
Arian Foster Kids Jersey axiotakix
Larry Fitzgerald Jersey axiotakix
http://www.authenticnikeredskinsjersey.com

Anonymous said...

[b][url=http://www.louisvuittonpursesale.com/]www.louisvuittonpursesale.com[/url][/b] If far more staff do not get their paychecks, you are looking at a possible explosion. I'm not predicting such a disaster will at any time materialize. But in need of political reform - that is substantially considerably less possible right this moment than yuan reform - China's leaders must consider that probability into account every time they established financial policy.

[b][url=http://www.uggsunitedkingdom.co.uk/]ugg boots uk[/url][/b] Many other renowned oil with Gucci produce may be Bamboo bed sheets. In the starting utilized by Gucci efforts on the time in the second earth war, bamboo bed sheets was originally integrated with Gucci's items out from need to have. That artisans had been remaining stunted to style remedies, which inturn attained Gucci's high quality values, although circumstances accustomed to be troublesome.

[b][url=http://www.louisvuittonwalletsmarket.com/]www.louisvuittonwalletsmarket.com[/url][/b] The beautiful sort and remarkable characteristics of their time items have manufactured them amid the very best regarded and most sought shortly soon after watches on today's industry. People today are very pleased to get and placed on Tag Watches knowing that Tag wristwatches are among among the most cherished watches on the period. They are really beautiful and stylish and are acknowledged for his or her accuracy and precision..

[b][url=http://www.louisvuittonwalletsmarket.com/]louis vuitton wallets[/url][/b] We're going to get him some brief skis (it's possible 1m50 - it doesn't genuinely make a difference) with visibly curved edges. I'm sure that if I get started unexciting him with terms like 'carving' and 'parabolic', I am likely to lose him. I'll just put a banana in my pocket. BE Clean. You cannot be classy or fab in case you smell like ass. Maintain your nails seriously clean and hold your ft attractive.

[b][url=http://www.seekingbestbags.co.uk/]louis vuitton purses[/url][/b] If you possess a small organization and also you take care of your own payroll processing, it is time to take into consideration the key benefits of employing an organization specializing in payroll to method your staff paychecks. Outsourcing payroll companies is one of the very best options for small business entrepreneurs who choose to free up their time. If you are not familiar with every one of the great things about outsourcing, critique 5 in the leading rewards and create a intelligent option for the sake of your business enterprise..

Anonymous said...

[url=http://www.microgiving.com/profile/ciprofloxacin]lijek ciprofloksacin
[/url]ciprofloxacin yeast infection
cipro buy online no prescription
cipro 500mg for tooth infection
cipro annual returns cost
baycip embarazo

Anonymous said...

top [url=http://www.001casino.com/]001[/url] check the latest [url=http://www.realcazinoz.com/]online casinos[/url] unshackled no deposit hand-out at the leading [url=http://www.baywatchcasino.com/]online casinos
[/url].

Anonymous said...

|
ProviFeF that there are actually massive gains [url=http://www.germanylovelv.com/]Louis Vuitton Outlet[/url]
be haF For very little work, people will in actual Fact Fiscover anF concentrate [url=http://www.germanylovelv.com/]Louis Vuitton Outlet/[/url]
it quickly. So just take a chance anF present something which they cannot seriously reFuse. Some Fantastic print points coulF be concerneF baseF on your own enterprise strategy, but you can get inFiviFuals reaFers in truth..
|

Anonymous said...

[url=http://www.onlinecasinos.gd]casinos online[/url], also known as accepted casinos or Internet casinos, are online versions of household ("buddy and mortar") casinos. Online casinos approve gamblers to wax place in and wager on casino games with the grant the Internet.
Online casinos in behalf of the most region move up representing advantage odds and payback percentages that are comparable to land-based casinos. Some online casinos affirm on higher payback percentages in the result in television of assignment appliance games, and some promulgate payout participation audits on their websites. Assuming that the online casino is using an fittingly programmed unsystematic myriad generator, proffer games like blackjack suffer with an established congress edge. The payout combined as a replacement on these games are established via the rules of the game.
Assorted online casinos sublease determination or abide by resign their software from companies like Microgaming, Realtime Gaming, Playtech, Cosmopolitan Contrivance Technology and CryptoLogic Inc.

Anonymous said...

Many thanks.
Should you tell, that you are not right.
You did not try to look in google.com?
It agree, a remarkable piece
I can not participate now in discussion - there is no free time. I will return - I will necessarily express the opinion on this question.

[url=http://michaelkorscheap2.weebly.com/][b]michael kors outlet online[/b][/url]
[url=http://michaelkorscheap2.sosblogs.com/][b]michael kors outlet online[/b][/url]
[url=http://shenenmaoyif.fashionblog.com.br/][b]michael kors outlet online[/b][/url]
[url=http://michaelkorsoutlet0.exteen.com/20130114/cheap-sale-mulberry-messenger-bags][b]michael kors outlet online[/b][/url]
[url=http://www.purevolume.com/listeners/shenenmaoyipo/posts/332278/Hot+Summer+time+2007+Ornament+Trends][b]michael kors outlet online[/b][/url]

Anonymous said...

[url=http://buy-methylprednisolone.webspawner.com/]what is cadista 4mg
[/url] medrol effect on blood sugar
cadista generic lamictal
cadista hydrochlorothiazide

Anonymous said...

What's up Dear, are you actually visiting this website regularly, if so then you will without doubt get good knowledge.

My webpage Visit

Anonymous said...

I congratulate, a remarkable idea
It is a pity, that now I can not express - I hurry up on job. I will return - I will necessarily express the opinion on this question.
I think, that you are not right. I am assured. Let's discuss it. Write to me in PM, we will talk.
I consider, that you are not right. I am assured. Let's discuss. Write to me in PM, we will communicate.
Earlier I thought differently, thanks for the help in this question.

[url=http://www.hqwx8.com/plus/view.php?aid=51289][b]michael kors outlet[/b][/url]
[url=http://www.hgw-j526.com/thread-15374-1-1.html][b]michael kors outlet[/b][/url]
[url=http://daydaypaid.com/bbs/read.php?tid=21177&ds=1][b]michael kors outlet[/b][/url]
[url=http://www.songxiit.com/bbs/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=15483][b]michael kors outlet[/b][/url]
[url=http://www.sunnyroyalmedia.com/cms/cms1/home.php?mod=space&uid=19727&do=blog&id=25107][b]michael kors outlet[/b][/url]

Anonymous said...

Wonderful work! That is the kind of info that are meant to be shared
around the net. Shame on the seek engines for now not
positioning this publish higher! Come on over and consult with
my web site . Thanks =)

Take a look at my page - http://pornharvest.com/index.php?m=2339580

Anonymous said...

viagra paten date [url=http://lasix-poland-tsn.pen.io/#uyztph]buy lasix online[/url] where can you purchase viagra

Anonymous said...

viagra paten date [url=http://lasix-poland-tsn.pen.io/#uyztph]buy lasix online[/url] where can you purchase viagra

Anonymous said...

viagra paten date [url=http://lasix-poland-tsn.pen.io/#uyztph]buy lasix online[/url] where can you purchase viagra

Anonymous said...

viagra paten date [url=http://lasix-poland-tsn.pen.io/#uyztph]buy lasix online[/url] where can you purchase viagra

Anonymous said...

viagra paten date [url=http://lasix-poland-tsn.pen.io/#uyztph]buy lasix online[/url] where can you purchase viagra

Anonymous said...

viagra paten date [url=http://lasix-poland-tsn.pen.io/#uyztph]buy lasix online[/url] where can you purchase viagra

Anonymous said...

viagra paten date [url=http://lasix-poland-tsn.pen.io/#uyztph]buy lasix online[/url] where can you purchase viagra

Anonymous said...

viagra paten date [url=http://lasix-poland-tsn.pen.io/#uyztph]buy lasix online[/url] where can you purchase viagra