Yesterday, our Hispanic neighbor had a lively party celebrating Father's Day. Their gatherings are always rich with Mexican culture. Their 9-year-old boy, born and raised in the U.S. like my children, speaks perfect Spanish with his relatives and friends and seems to thoroughly enjoy his Hispanic heritage.
Their celebration brought back memories of gatherings I once attended in Kansas, except that the Chinese children spoke English among themselves, and most of the ABCs (American-born Chinese) couldn't speak Chinese and communicate with their parents in English.
I talked to my sister about this, and she asked why ABCs can't speak Chinese. "It's so easy for them to grow up bilingual," she said. "Why didn't their parents speak Chinese to them?"
I recalled a conversation with a friend when my son was little. He said, "Our children won't go back to China when they grow up. What's the use of learning Chinese?"
I guess there were many Chinese parents who shared this view back then. They had not anticipated the rapid development and incredible changes taking place in China over the past two to three decades.
I shared my observations with my children. My daughter shared this with me, most of the second generation of Korean immigrants can speak Korean. Perhaps Chinese are more eager than others to assimilate.
I believe it is rather short-sighted for first-generation parents to deprive their children of the chance to grow up bilingual. The ability to speak multiple languages can open doors to rich experiences and cultural understanding, vastly enhance cognitive development, and provide more opportunities in today's globalized world, especially when China's economy is too significant to ignore now.
By not encouraging bilingualism, parents are limiting their children's future potential and connection to their heritage. Witnessing my neighbor's celebration of Spanish culture, I was reminded of the richness and the happiness that comes from accepting one's cultural roots and the value of language as a key component of one's identity. In a rapidly globalizing world, the ability to navigate multiple cultures and languages is an invaluable asset.
As we celebrate the diverse tapestry of our communities everywhere, let us be aware of the importance of fostering bilingualism in our children. Also, parents, it’s not just about the usefulness, it’s about honoring where we come from and giving the next generation the chance to know another culture, along with the tools and possibilities to thrive in an interconnected world.
Parents, be far-sighted. Invest in your children's future with more than one language and culture. Bridge the past and present, and enrich their lives in ways that go far beyond language alone. Don't limit your children's future with your limitation.