2014 Snapshots

Wednesday, February 17

Corner View: Wisdom from an Elder.

DSCF6700Almost 8 years ago when we were packing to leave behind everything we knew and all that we were familiar with,  my dear father in law sat my husband and I down and gave us a talk. 

He talked about the many things involved in the life of an expat but the one thing I always remember from that talk is this:

He said to us,  no matter where you go and make your home, remember to do this one thing:  teach your children their  mother tongue.  Your children will be exposed to a lot of things in their life, they will learn about different cultures and customs and see many different things, but make sure they  know their language.    It is their language that will always remind them of their roots and their identity.

I’ve always wondered why he said that to us.  Maybe it’s because we come from a country that boasts over 750 different languages. But as we’ve travelled here and there his words have become a real reminder to me that my children must know their culture and heritage and their language.  And by knowing and embracing their own they will be more appreciative of their friends and peers cultures, customs and languages.

My husband and I speak to our children in our languages (yes he speaks a different language to me)! Our kids are not there yet but we are making progress!!

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   For more wisdom from our elders visit Jane’s sidebar. Great theme Theresa.

15 comments:

Francesca said...

So you're a real multilingual family! We feel the same about our own mother tongues in our family.

Mari said...

I think that's really cool! Your kids will know several languages. What a great heritage!

Victoria | Hibiscus Bloem said...

Good advice. We speak English at home with our kiddos. My son is fluent Dutch - we get by! We are so proud of him and although he has never lived in England, he knows that's where all his family are from and feels some connection there.
Great skies in your photos today.

jane said...

i agree. i always spoke to my kids in english and jorge in spanish:) your photos below are wonderful too! kisses!

Joyce said...

A very wise father in law. I wish I would have learned my father's tongue while I was younger, but it was almost forbidden in those days. xo

Theresa said...

Beautiful post all around.

Lollipop said...

this is such a beautiful message. Your beloved step-father is right. My father didn't spoke his mother tongue with us, he gave us the cooking, the culture and the knowledge of his country, but not the language. Sometime I'm mad at him for that...
take care!

kimmie said...

amazing advice - it makes so much sense

Ida/FarEastLogbook said...

What a wonderful advice! Growing up billingual (or trilingual, in this case :-) ) must be such an amazing gift.

Lori ann said...

What a beautiful post and message. I came over from Sammis blog, two thousand miles from here.I think
you are teaching a valuable lesson, your children are very fortunate.And what a lovely father in law. blessings.
♥ lori

shayndel said...

Your children are lucky to gain the wisdom of both your father-in-law and you! For you are the one who is teaching them... beautiful photos to go with your lovely expression.
I would feel very lonely if my daughter couldn't speak the language of where I am from, so I compleetely understand the importance of this wisdom:) Best wishes,

n said...

This is a great post! Your children are so lucky to have opportunites to learn different languages at their age.

soisses-dasleben said...

nice story, nice corner view! and he was right ;-)

Jewel said...

These pictures are gorgeous! The clouds are absolutely stunning and I LOVE the silhouettes of the trees. WOW!

Language is a great gift! I'm working consecutively on my 3rd and 4th right now...

Also, I have a little something special for you on Sunday's post! (Happy 101)

Eliane Zimmermann said...

lovely post! we speak German at home, my children speak English and Irish in school and I speak portuguese to my step-mum and my siblings! quite international!

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