tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730758290724925733.post5235943019287137797..comments2023-07-29T16:19:17.285+02:00Comments on the pretty walrus: The Gift of LanguageUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730758290724925733.post-37290701807056596082011-10-24T23:17:20.654+02:002011-10-24T23:17:20.654+02:00Hey, the SLP in me emerging. Language development ...Hey, the SLP in me emerging. Language development is indeed fascinating. There are a lot of different bilinguals (multilinguals). These include sequential bilingualism, simultaneous bilingualism, co-ordinate etc. In our case it is different as English and Maltese are used simultaneously so it's not the same when one parent is German and the other is English. <br /><br />We also distinguish between code switching and Maltese or English as L1 (first language) or L2 (second language). When we were young, especially those who attended a church schools, our L1 and language of instruction was in English, however we would code switch to Maltese which was considered as our L2. In other cases it is the opposite where Maltese was L1. Interestingly we had to carry out a study about this and found that those whose L1 is Maltese preferred to read literature in English (our age group). There's a whole other study about Gozitans switching between standard Maltese and their dialects/accents. <br /><br />Today the local curriculum suggests that all numbers, colours and shapes are taught in English irrespective of language of instruction. The reason for this is because Maths books are in English. <br /><br />We suggest that the parents speak to the child in the language they are most proficient in to reduce the possibility of grammatical errors. We also recommend 'one moment, one language'. For instance speaking Maltese during a particular activity such as bath time, meal times etc. <br /><br />The issue in Malta is that Kids tend to use English when they use nouns or some verbs (qed jiekol apple etc). So that's why we recommend one-moment, one language.Vehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13258433909380340098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730758290724925733.post-6573747673604790332011-10-23T15:01:09.356+02:002011-10-23T15:01:09.356+02:00I think this is fantastic, I naturally was very go...I think this is fantastic, I naturally was very good in languages at school but have not used them since, I come from many different cultures, mainly english speaking, I was very sad when my great gran passed as she was the only member of the family that would teach us to speak Syrian, I remember a few words but very little xKarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14361484632604675406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730758290724925733.post-77882767067740407942011-10-21T00:01:40.473+02:002011-10-21T00:01:40.473+02:00And you have an A level in maltese! You can't ...And you have an A level in maltese! You can't be too bad Tsk xxxmiwanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730758290724925733.post-68797729069396655972011-10-20T21:25:45.631+02:002011-10-20T21:25:45.631+02:00Thank you Philip, I guess your situation is as clo...Thank you Philip, I guess your situation is as close to ours as it's going to get! And yes, I know what you mean about it not always working - my mum did after all try to speak to me in Maltese when I was young, but I just responded in English (often amidst laughter and telling her to stop being silly!) But yes, it still instils some "background" knowledge which is far better than nothing at all.clare @ the pretty walrushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17463034859576633428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730758290724925733.post-57773538794767325632011-10-20T21:22:32.374+02:002011-10-20T21:22:32.374+02:00Maria, knowing you all personally, I know what you...Maria, knowing you all personally, I know what you mean. I do know however, from people in similar situations, that as you said there comes a time when the children are either interested in their heritage or they realise that an additional language would come in handy and they ask their parents why they did not teach them their second language. It IS difficult, there's no question about that. We want them to "fit in" as much as possible in another country, and perhaps doing that means speaking primarily English. <br /><br />I suppose the fact that Maltese is, as horrible as it sounds, a rather useless language doesn't help the situation. It's not like she can go anywhere in the world and be able to use it :-/clare @ the pretty walrushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17463034859576633428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730758290724925733.post-29277061351766426292011-10-20T21:19:09.662+02:002011-10-20T21:19:09.662+02:00Wow I am totally thrilled at all the advice and su...Wow I am totally thrilled at all the advice and suggestions that have come flooding in today!<br /><br /><br />Mau, I completely agree that a language needs to be used on a regular basis to be maintained. It was the reason my Maltese struggled so much. We spoke English at home as well as at school (hell, even Maltese lessons were often taught in English!), so I am aware that it needs to be consistent. But at the same time I am not aiming at her being fluent, I think that may be asking too much. If she has a basic understanding, that she can go to Malta and understand what is being said around her, I'll be happy. <br /><br />Also, perhaps not in Gozitan, but we really should Skype sometime!!! xclare @ the pretty walrushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17463034859576633428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730758290724925733.post-79481232124522007062011-10-20T13:45:10.441+02:002011-10-20T13:45:10.441+02:00For what it's worth, I found it hard to speak ...For what it's worth, I found it hard to speak English to Amy at first and it felt unnatural to me - I think mostly because I thought she wouldn't understand anything anyway (in any language).<br /><br />But I kept it up and after a few months or so, I got used to it. And now I'm really glad I kept it up!<br /><br />So I think that if one or both of you chose to start speaking Maltese to her, you could also get used to that arrangement after a while.<br /><br />And for what it's worth, Stella and I are from the same country, too :) And I speak the majority language to Stella.<br /><br />Not to say it always works to produce an actively bilingual child - for example, my middle sister's elder boy speaks German back to her even though she speaks only English to him - but they'll still understand a whole lot more than if you didn't expose them regularly to the language at all. Plus they often have latent knowledge which can become active fairly quickly in the right situation.<br /><br />So do consider it :)<br /><br />Oh, and also - don't be scared of not having the vocabulary; there's no shame in consulting a dictionary and children will learn that adults don't know everything but that there are ways to learn new things (i.e. by looking them up).Philip Newtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17991519523477002229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730758290724925733.post-11835678006581302312011-10-20T13:31:10.179+02:002011-10-20T13:31:10.179+02:00one of those very inteligent conversations!! Wow! ...one of those very inteligent conversations!! Wow! Well here is me native Hungarian however raised in Romania (so fluent native in both) then married to my English husband who does only see kids early mornings most often as he works late....! I have a four years old that has my language learning abilities and although I had never conciously thought him any but English he does know loads of words in Hungarian and has recently picked up more French then Hungarian!....I made a concious effort to not run myslef crazy with guilt and super intelectual craze.....I do however regret not making more of an effort as Reuben as you know loves loves languages. (4yrs old) its very hard I have every admiration for anyone who can and will teach effectivley kids another language...as long as its what they want and don;t feel its what they have to do. I believe that comes an age everyone will be very interested in their own origins.....they would have regrets no matter what.. I hope and pray that my kids will understand how tireing and consuming it was to raise them ....in a foreign country and give them a good start and good vocabulary in English....while trying to make sure they have much fun and food and all.....and encourage them to outdo me when their turn comes. I don;t mind not being such a super mum! I can only be as good as I can be. I will never not speak in front of my kids in my own languages...but I will not force these onto them I know they will naturally be able to pick it up any any stage....phew it is a difficult one.Maria Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05034598314159584450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730758290724925733.post-91730606539014681482011-10-20T13:30:58.362+02:002011-10-20T13:30:58.362+02:00Lol at the Gozitan skype :)Lol at the Gozitan skype :)Josephahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15343679576683552600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730758290724925733.post-22653105927007061722011-10-20T12:40:33.036+02:002011-10-20T12:40:33.036+02:00It's harqa (il-h maqtuha)! I can tell you from...It's harqa (il-h maqtuha)! I can tell you from experience (i.e. Maia) that in order for her to be able to speak Maltese fluently she has to hear it on a regular basis, or daily preferably. And she must also use it herself...so she'd have to communicate in Maltese with whoever speaks to her in that language. G and I communicate in English and Italian (our secret language) and speak to Maia in English. My parents are the ones to speak to her in Maltese and at school they speak Maltese too. She's still struggling with Maltese but we're getting there very slowly. We can call her on Skype and speak to her in Gozitan if you want! :-DAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730758290724925733.post-6284093854208414612011-10-20T12:39:40.606+02:002011-10-20T12:39:40.606+02:00THANK YOU! It was one of those frustrating "t...THANK YOU! It was one of those frustrating "tip of my tongue" moments and the dictionary is in E's room where she is asleep lol.clare @ the pretty walrushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17463034859576633428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730758290724925733.post-14480646885459914752011-10-20T12:38:00.880+02:002011-10-20T12:38:00.880+02:00Lol, try 'harqa' :)Lol, try 'harqa' :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730758290724925733.post-19602865942465135952011-10-20T12:24:22.902+02:002011-10-20T12:24:22.902+02:00So now I'm sat here wondering, what on earth i...So now I'm sat here wondering, what on earth is a nappy in Maltese?! I'll need to fish out that dictionary sooner than I thought!clare @ the pretty walrushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17463034859576633428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730758290724925733.post-33592484902406453902011-10-20T12:23:41.998+02:002011-10-20T12:23:41.998+02:00Josepha, I had no idea you were raised in Canada! ...Josepha, I had no idea you were raised in Canada! I know children absorb every bit of language you throw at them (that's a great idea re Greek & Slovak haha) so I just want to make sure she's getting enough of both I guess.<br /><br />Pa, that's actually a really good idea. Not sure it'll last but it will make for a few good laughs I suspect lol xclare @ the pretty walrushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17463034859576633428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730758290724925733.post-55555126419627880472011-10-20T12:07:39.499+02:002011-10-20T12:07:39.499+02:00How about having a weekly "Maltese day",...How about having a weekly "Maltese day", in which you and David speak to each other and Emily, entirely in Maltese?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05795900571989485116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730758290724925733.post-14728443565676440492011-10-20T12:03:35.094+02:002011-10-20T12:03:35.094+02:00I was raised by two Maltese-speaking parents in Ca...I was raised by two Maltese-speaking parents in Canada till I was seven. I could understand Maltese and even managed the odd sentence here and there, but English remained my main language. When we moved to Malta and I started Year 3, it took me some time to learn how to talk and write the language, but I did catch up really quick. With Cesca, we both talk to her in Maltese and English and our friends speak to her in their native tongues (Greek and Slovak!!) It'll be interesting seeing how she turns out :)<br /><br />Nowadays, you find Maltese books for children and even TV programmes on the internet. A child's brain absorbs information at an alarming rate, so even though you may think she is not getting enough of the language, every little bit she's getting, she's learning.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com