Quadlingual Environment: Experiences, suggestions?

[yellowmud]

This is an interesting topic as this has been our concern as well. I have no suggestion to offer but wants to share our situation and perhaps we could meet when our children are a little older so that they can play together.

Too bad you are not living in HK.

Our son was born in Hong Kong and has a Chinese name (with my family name ) and an English name ( a first name that spells the same in German and English and he take his father's last name).

I see. So it seems we are not the only ones with this idea.

I think we all agree that acquiring three languages ( able to read and write) requires a lot of hard work for adults. I believe it's hard work for babies and children too although they learn faster than us. I don't want to place too high expectation on him.

Sure reading and writing doesn't come without a lot of work (particularly for Chinese that is). The great thing is that in order to learn speaking languages perfectly, children do not have to "work" but can do it by playing. I think that when we support them sensibly with that, learning multiple languages at home is one of the greatest gifts you can give to your child. :wow:

 

[yellowmud]

I am sure he/she will be stronger in Mandarin because you and your wife speaks this langugage most of the time and that is where she/he will pick up most words from it.

Just have to make sure he doesn't pick up too much of my mandarin.

 

[FutureHKmom]

Spockey- what does code switch mean? using both languages at the same time? But it would be ok for one parent to use just one language and the other use the other language, right? But then how should my husband and I speak to each other in front of our son? With just one language or like before with both? Thanks!

 

[yellowmud]

I guess she means code-switching as switching between languages. I guess the most important thing is to stick to one language each when speaking to the kid.

 

[spockey]

Code-Switch means to use both languages at the same time. So, if you usually speak in English but use some keywords/phrases in another language, then you are codeswitching.

For example,

You are so ma fan! (mafan - difficult in Cantonese - I can't spell in Canto either.

Today, I am going to belanja you. (belanja - treat you to something)

Papa, can you hookapuck me please? (hukapuck - carry over the shoulder in German - Sorry can't spell in German)

Two parents, each using only one language without interference from another language is not code-switching. Only the child has to switch to understand.

 

[FutureHKmom]

Hi Spockey - thanks for clarifying. Would it be ok for me to sometimes speak english and sometimes speak cantonese but make sure I don't code switch? So for example, say complete sentences in english and then complete sentences in cantonese? It's so natural for me to speak both languages to my husband and my parents that it will be hard to just stick to one language. Whereas, it would be just much easier to make sure I don't insert english words in cantonese sentences or vice versa. thanks!

 

[sorchului]

I am glad that I see this thread.

My husband and I have different mother tongues so we communicate in English. He speaks to our daughter in English and I use Cantonese. Cantonese is harder to learn and we intend to send our daughter to local kindergarten later.

I hope our daughter will pick up both languages at the same time without too much difficulties. We have a Cantonese neighbour who talk to each other in Cantonese but speaks English to their son so he is exposed to 2 languages at the same time. He then went to an international kindergarten where mandarin was taught. From my observation, the boy is confused with 3 languages and he does not know how to speak a complete sentence in one language until he is about 4 and he often includes 2 languages (mostly English and some Cantonese) in his sentence. It will be interesting to see when he starts his new school in September as he will be learning German as well.

I think if we want our kids to learn Chinese especially Cantonese, it's important to teach them at an young age and let them go to a local school. Correct me if I am wrong.

 

[yellowmud]

Cantonese is harder to learn and we intend to send our daughter to local kindergarten later.

Why should Cantonese be harder to learn than English for a child?

 

[sorchului]

Well, in Chinese the way we speak is different from writing and Chinese characters are harder to write, that's what I think.

 

[spockey]

FutureHKmom

It's common practice what you are doing.
Why don't you just fine tune your practice by splitting up into domains? Use English at playgroups and Cantonese at home?

There's really no right or wrong method when using two languages differently (as long as the two aren't mixed before they (the kids) understand the differences).

Cheers!