Our Story: How We Grew Up Bilingual

In the last year, both Ana Lilian and I have shared a lot with you about how we’re raising our children bilingual + bicultural—joys and challenges included. Although we’ve shared some details, one thing we have not really done is tell you the how we grew up bilingual ourselves. In honor of SpanglishBaby’s first anniversary, we figured we’d get a bit more personal and allow you to get to know us a little bit better…

Roxana’s Story: A Multicultural Upbringing

The tale of how I grew up bilingual is totally different from that of my children. I am an immigrant who moved to this country from Perú as a teenager. Luckily, I already spoke English when I got here which made the transition a bit smoother.

Before I turned 15, I had already lived in three different continents (South America, Africa and North America) and had been exposed to at least four languages: Spanish, English, French and Afrikaans. I can’t deny it was a bit rough moving every couple of years growing up, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. It was rough because of the friendships we had to leave behind, but this also meant we got to meet people from all kinds of backgrounds.

As I’ve mentioned in the past, both my parents are bilingual (Spanish/English). My father taught himself English as an adult and my mother went to a bilingual British school in Lima, Peru. My sister and I attended the same school while we lived in Peru both before our travels started and when we returned several years later after a stint in Johannesburg, South Africa. Without the education and training I received there, I don’t think I’d be sitting here comfortably writing this in English, my second tongue.

Looking back, I think one of the most difficult moves was from Argentina to South Africa when I was nine years old. At this point in my life, I hadn’t really done much of the bilingual education thing and although I understood some basic English vocabulary, my parents realized it wouldn’t be enough and as soon as the move to Johannesburg was confirmed, they enrolled me in English classes while we waited for everything to be ready for the transfer. I remember nothing of them, but they must have helped because when we finally did move, I was able to survive in school—except for when we had Afrikaans lessons and I was utterly and helplessly lost! (more…)

This CD just puts me in a good mood.  It makes me want to sing-a-long, if only my daughter would let me, and to relax with a tall bubbly drink.  Oh, yes,  it’s also totally entertaining for your bilingual or Spanish-learning child as well.  Thomas, AKA the Spanglish Wrangler, knows his music.  The birth of his two children, coupled with his love of Spanish, led him on a journey to compose 12 enchanting songs where Spanish and English effortlessly flow to the beat of blues, acoustic rock, and overall good-vibe music.

Amongst my favorite tracks is the acoustic”Emociones” where he grooves about basic emotions:  “When I’m triste I’ll cry” or “My head is high when I’m orgulloso.” The first time we heard it my daughter proclaimed:  “Me no cry. Me feliz!”  And me feliz, too.

You won’t be able to stop yourself from singing along with his translation of the classic “You Are My Sunshine” which he titled “Eres Mi Vida.”  I know, this song has been done and redone so many times, but the Spanglish Wrangler hit the mark here converting it into a soft, yet rhythmic, acoustic melody in Spanish you’ll want to sing while in a lovely embrace.  Ok, again, if my daughter will let me! (more…)