We speak two languages in our home, Croatian and English. Or, I should say, four out of five of us speak two languages. Our middle child is fluent in another language as well. He prefers to speak the language of stubborn, which is derived from a small community in Europe called “Cantmakemedoit”. We are often discouraged by this, especially when his Baka (grandmother) asks him something in Croatian and he answers her in English.
We set out last summer to teach the boy how to actually not be afraid to speak in his second language. But don’t be confused. He can out cuss anyone in Croatian, a lesson we learned when the teacher sent home a note explaining Matthew was uttering words she didn’t understand, but in a tone she did understand. She asked him what he was saying and he lied flat out and told her “I’m telling Ivana how pretty she looks today”. The teacher wagged a finger at him and replied “I don’t think so, but since I can’t prove it, just stop it “. He also finds the Croatian language especially helpful during his sports events. It’s the only time he can question a referee’s call without getting sent to the box. However, to his grandparents, it’s English only.
To encourage him, we came up with several plans. Plan one was to only speak Croatian in the home for three months. Ya, didn’t work. He still rolled his eyes and answered us in English. “Idiots “ he mumbled every time we spoke to him in Croatian.
Then, we decided, that’s it, off to Croatia for 2 months in the summer young man. “Ha ha ha,” we giggled to ourselves, that will teach him, he’ll have to answer in Croatian if he wants to eat while visiting. Yep, turns out, people in Croatia are anxious to practice their English. Foiled again.
Then we brought out the big guns. “How will you ever marry a pretty Croatian girl if you don’t practice speaking the language?” we asked him. We awaited his response, thinking that finally, we had him and he’d have to start speaking Croatian to his grandparents. He just smiled and said “don’t worry, I’m going to marry a hot Canadian girl”! At this point we decided to stop pushing the idea on him and be happy with the fact he understands the language and will speak it when he needs to.
But we are not holding our breath.
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