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Communication Between the Mama and Me

Bilingual, I am not.

A bilingual person is someone who is fluent in two languages. I'm one of those second generation kids (in any immigrant group) who can understand their parents' language but cannot speak it. Oh, sure, I can say some phrases in Ilocano, the Mama's language,  such as, uh, Awan ti nakkem mo which means "There's nothing in your head." Something the Mama said to me often when I was a kid.

The Husband tells me it's strange to listen to the Mama's and my conversations. She says something in Ilocano and I respond in English. I say something to her in English and she responds in Ilocano. Most times, I don't even realize she's talking to me in Ilocano.  I suppose you could say we are having a bilingual conversation, just that neither of us are bilingual.

There are times when I can't figure out what the Mama wants. It's not because of the language difference, but because of the Mama's unique thinking process. She assumes that I am thinking the same way. For instance:

"Get me some onions," The Mama orders me in Ilocano.

"Where are they?" I ask in English.

"Idiay," she says.

The word idiay means over there. But, where is over there? It may take several rounds of back and forth before she finally identifies idiay as being over there in the garage.

Now, if she were to respond in English, she would say, "Down below."

In our house, "down below" could mean the garage, a cupboard under the sink, or the vegetable bin in the refrigerator.


Comments

  1. Yes, I really think that's bilingualism when the two people communicating understand both languages! Yes one of the partners understood one language and the other two would not be a situation of bilingualism!

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    1. I like your definition of bilingualism much better than the one normally used in the U.S. This makes me realize, like everything else, bilingualism has so many shades to it.

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  2. Both of my parents were first generation Italian American. My grandparents would speak to them in Italian and they would answer in English. They would also speak to us in Italian and we understood but we were young when the died and I couldn't understand most Italian now.

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    1. :-) Years ago, I was in Italy and enjoyed trying to put together words to get my question or answer across. The people with whom I spoke seemed pleased that I tried.

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  3. I think that life would never be dull with your dear mama! For a friend who's from Panama had a nephew visiting her, I practiced a few lines to greet him with when he came. He was thrilled thinking I spoke Spanish, I told him in English how I had practiced for those lines. :)

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    Replies
    1. :-) Years ago, I was in Italy and enjoyed trying to put together words to get my question or answer across. The people with whom I spoke seemed pleased that I tried.

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  4. Oh I can relate but I speak a Little German and I understand a little German but I am not fluent. My mom has said "over there" and then she thinks I am nuts when I had no idea where over there was:) When i would listen to my mom and her best friend talk they would speak part German and part English...it was really different. They would seamlessly intertwine the 2 languages together

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    1. Hmmm, I could've sworn I commented a couple days ago. I must've forgot to click "Publish.' I wonder what I said. :-) The Mama gives me a look like "I'm nuts" often. You'd think she'd be used to it by now. lol

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  5. My thought was that maybe she meant the store! :)

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Thanks for the good cheer. :-)

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