Speaking in Bangla

No denying that living and breathing in a western environment make it harder for our kids to pick up Bangla as an added language. After all, these kids were born here; they 'think' in English, Bangla is nothing but a foreign language to them that their parents speak in. It would take a conscientious or concerted effort on the part of the parents to instill the interest in our kids to at least try communicating in Bangla when they are at home or in a 'deshi' community environment.

Our kids in the US as well as other western countries are picking up French, German, Spanish or any other language of their choice at school to learn as a second language. So learning Bangla will not 'confuse' (in the word of a 'friend' of mine) them further as to how to express their feelings. Unfortunately, I failed to make my 'friend' realise that confusion can only be impaired by lack of knowledge.

While some parents argue that Bangla would not be any way beneficial for the kids as they grow up and join the American workforce, they tend to forget that it can be the only, if not the most important tie these kids can ever have with their relatives back home. Otherwise, no matter how many times we bring our kids to Bangladesh every other year or so to visit their grandparents and other relatives (like most of us do), they will go back hoping not having to come back to Bangladesh again.

Not being able to communicate with and share thoughts with others would make them totally uninterested in anything or anyone in their parents' native country.

I fail to understand how the second generation kids from our neighboring nations like India and Pakistan and other foreign countries can appreciate their culture and speak fluently in their respective languages, at least at home; while Bangladeshi kids tend to show disinclination to Bangla.

When I decided to make US my home a few years ago along with other first generation parents, among other things, I conceded to the idea that my kids will not be too well conversant in Bangla. It would be almost illusory for me to expect my child to read and understand verses from Tagore in Bangla but would it be too much for me to ask for him to at least communicate at home in Bangla?

I do not think I am asking for too much. I have noticed with my own 6-year old that all I had to do is speak in Bangla with him at home.

I strongly believe that if we want, as parents, we can at least have our kids speak in Bangla, if not anything more.