Aha! Moment (Misha)

Misha at playground after Egg Hunt on Easter Day

As interracial, multi-national, -cultural, and -lingual family, people often ask us about Misha's language development. It has been one of my curiosities, too. Although she understands Japanese, she definitely responds and expresses herself the best in English. She is also exposed regularly to Amharic (main Ethiopian language), German, and Hausa (one of Nigerian languages). Being a bilingual, or raising a bilingual child is extremely difficult, if you truly aim at equal language skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing. Having said that, I do not want to stress her (or us) too much, so I am just taking every opportunity to speak to her in Japanese. I believe this is one of the best things I can teach or pass on to her. Nothing serious or strict, but Japanese conversation is becoming more consistant.

She speaks English well, a little too much sometimes (remember, she was born in the year of rooster... who knew!) Her sentence is getting longer and more complicated. The other day, I heard her say "Mommy, this is my most favorite movie I have ever seen!" I probably learned this level of English grammar in 8th or 9th grade as a kid in Japan. I do not detect the southern accent in her English yet, but I guess it is a matter of time. Then she will truly become G.R.I.T.S! (from the sticker I saw on bumper recently - "Girl Raised In The South")

The other day, we were taking a walk at park and met one of my German mom friend from the breastfeeding support group. Temesgen was also with us, so we started talking in German together (nothing to boast when it comes to my German, really) while the girls were enjoying snack in the double jogger. All of sudden, Misha started saying "Mommy, Kleine Raupe, Kleine Raupe!" First, I did not really understand, wondering why she brought up the name of her favorite book out of nowhere. Then I realized - she brought it up because she realized the language we were speaking was German, and this is the only German book she has in her bookshelf! Kleine Raupe Nimmersatt is "Hungry Caterpillar" in English by Eric Carle. It was truly the Aha moment to me, realizing she connected the language with this book among dozens of books she has. Children's brains are definitely developing and connecting all these elements of language. It truly amazed me.



Although Misha certainly does not have pronunciation problem in English like non-English speakers do (like me with R/L, s/the, o/ou, etc.), she has some words that she cannot pronounce well yet. The lise includes:
1. Earrings - Ing Rings
2. Christmas - Kisamas
3. Fridge - Gabaage

I know for sure these words will bring back all these warm memories of her childhood to us when she grows up. Every moment is so precious.