How To Find Easy Way To Speak English?

Does anyone in your family hate it when you speak English? (read description)

• If you come from a family whose first language wasn't English, you'd kind of understand this. This happens in our family a lot. Their first language included a certain tongue that isn't even the least bit popular around today, mixed in there with a bit of Spanish. Some of these cousins and aunts/uncles to be exact, hated it when they would hear any of us from the younger generation, speak English! They shunned us and thought of us as "big headed" whenever we spoke English. Note: we were not talking to them or directing ourselves at them in any way. Nor was it a group conversation where they were involved. Our indigenous roots were still somewhat very strongly present in that time as some even shunned anyone who spoke excessive Spanish! I hate all this and that's why I find it silly when anyone tries to force anyone else to learn a certain tongue just so they, the offended one, could have things more easy. What do you all think about this?

• Answer:

  Well, I don't have experience in that area with my family, because our first language was and is English. However, it sounds like to me there is an element of pride for one's culture or ethnicity. This is still common in not only North America, but around the world. Cultural pride or having a sense of allegiance to one's heritage is something that spans centuries and still occurs today. Having awareness and a love for your culture isn't exactly a bad thing, but to deny another way of learning or even speaking is a bit small minded. The great thing about America and even the rest of the world is that, it is different and not based on a singularity as it relates to dialect or culture. You should be free to not only express yourself in another language but to continue learning. I would agree that it is frustrating when you want to speak in English but perhaps your family members do not approve of it. That to me is unnecessary because it suggests that one group of people or way of speaking is better than another. Wanting to be proud of your culture is fine within limitations, but exclusively denying others gets into discrimination and ignorance.