Comments on: 10 Reasons You Should Learn Your Partner’s Native Language http://gorigirl.com/10-reasons-you-should-learn-your-partners-native-language intercultural relationship stories and advice Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:32:35 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.3 By: Anita http://gorigirl.com/10-reasons-you-should-learn-your-partners-native-language#comment-3857 Anita Mon, 05 Apr 2010 15:10:22 +0000 http://gorigirl.com/10-reasons-you-should-learn-your-partners-native-language#comment-3857 Hi Everyone, I'm new to GoriGirl's blog and absolutely love it! My husband is Maharashtrian and I'm latina, so we've had the language talk a million times. The plan is for him to enroll in spanish classes and me to enroll in hindi classes. We'll see how it goes. Hi Everyone,
I’m new to GoriGirl’s blog and absolutely love it!
My husband is Maharashtrian and I’m latina, so we’ve had the language talk a million times. The plan is for him to enroll in spanish classes and me to enroll in hindi classes. We’ll see how it goes.

]]> By: Clareta http://gorigirl.com/10-reasons-you-should-learn-your-partners-native-language#comment-3671 Clareta Sun, 24 Jan 2010 16:11:31 +0000 http://gorigirl.com/10-reasons-you-should-learn-your-partners-native-language#comment-3671 Hi. Very interesting Post. Not really what i have searched over Google, but thanks for the information. Hi. Very interesting Post. Not really what i have searched over Google, but thanks for the information.

]]> By: suresh http://gorigirl.com/10-reasons-you-should-learn-your-partners-native-language#comment-3597 suresh Thu, 14 Jan 2010 04:49:41 +0000 http://gorigirl.com/10-reasons-you-should-learn-your-partners-native-language#comment-3597 Dear all: Gorijee Namaskar. Excellent site and efforts done for integration from readers in the world. Accolades to you. Happy Sankranthi, Pongal from India. I am Suresh. I was brought up in Bihar,India for 30 years. I worked for a US Org.CARE,NGO for 29 years in India and abroad. I studied till B.Com. in Hindi medium. My mother tongue is Tamil. I am settled in Chennai. Currently, I do online Hindi tuition and Hindi translations. Please do contact me dear Readers at sskay56@gmail.com . This is also google talk address. Cell; 91 9840643690. skype id: sitaramansureshkumar alternate email id; sitaraman_sureshkumar@yahoo.co.in Dhanyawad, with warm regards, Suresh Dear all:

Gorijee Namaskar. Excellent site and efforts done for integration from readers in the world. Accolades to you.

Happy Sankranthi, Pongal from India.

I am Suresh. I was brought up in Bihar,India for 30 years. I worked for a US Org.CARE,NGO for 29 years in India and abroad. I studied till B.Com. in Hindi medium. My mother tongue is Tamil. I am settled in Chennai. Currently, I do online Hindi tuition and Hindi translations.

Please do contact me dear Readers at sskay56@gmail.com . This is also
google talk address. Cell; 91 9840643690.
skype id: sitaramansureshkumar

alternate email id; sitaraman_sureshkumar@yahoo.co.in

Dhanyawad,

with warm regards,

Suresh

]]> By: Jamily5 http://gorigirl.com/10-reasons-you-should-learn-your-partners-native-language#comment-3589 Jamily5 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:50:04 +0000 http://gorigirl.com/10-reasons-you-should-learn-your-partners-native-language#comment-3589 Hey, I think that Pemsleur also teaches Hindi, now. I have an additional challenge because I don't read print. So, I can't do the workbooks or read the printed lessons. I am trying to learn Urdu and want to sufficiently make progress before I add Punjabi. One thing that I notice is that I don't get to speak it much. We are just both too busy (especially him) to do lessons. I think that I am going to go to my local "Indian Center," and see if there is an Urdu teacher. Hey, GG, I will be coming to DC at the end of January, I would love to a good pakora! Will be staying at the Capital. Hey, I think that Pemsleur also teaches Hindi, now. I have an additional challenge because I don’t read print. So, I can’t do the workbooks or read the printed lessons. I am trying to learn Urdu and want to sufficiently make progress before I add Punjabi. One thing that I notice is that I don’t get to speak it much. We are just both too busy (especially him) to do lessons. I think that I am going to go to my local “Indian Center,” and see if there is an Urdu teacher. Hey, GG, I will be coming to DC at the end of January, I would love to a good pakora! Will be staying at the Capital.

]]> By: GoriGirl http://gorigirl.com/10-reasons-you-should-learn-your-partners-native-language#comment-1856 GoriGirl Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:54:43 +0000 http://gorigirl.com/10-reasons-you-should-learn-your-partners-native-language#comment-1856 I've listed a few Hindi resources in the <a href="http://gorigirl.com/forum/communication-and-language/hindi-learning-resources" rel="nofollow">forums here</a> (altho you're right that they don't make up for university courses). If you have any others, I'd love to hear about 'em. I've listed a few Hindi resources in the forums here (altho you're right that they don't make up for university courses). If you have any others, I'd love to hear about 'em.

]]> By: boston123 http://gorigirl.com/10-reasons-you-should-learn-your-partners-native-language#comment-1855 boston123 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:27:21 +0000 http://gorigirl.com/10-reasons-you-should-learn-your-partners-native-language#comment-1855 If you lived in the greater Boston area, learning Hindi from a live instructor would be no problem.. many universities offer Hindi at various levels.. introductory thru graduate level. If you lived in the greater Boston area, learning Hindi from a live instructor would be no problem.. many universities offer Hindi at various levels.. introductory thru graduate level.

]]> By: Andrea http://gorigirl.com/10-reasons-you-should-learn-your-partners-native-language#comment-1851 Andrea Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:29:02 +0000 http://gorigirl.com/10-reasons-you-should-learn-your-partners-native-language#comment-1851 I've been so frustrated with the lack of resources available to learn Hindi in the States (or, even harder, Marathi)! I used to live near one of the biggest universities in the nation, and they don't offer Hindi courses! Then, I signed up to take an intensive summer Marathi course at UW Madison, and it was cancelled due to low enrollment.<br>As it is now, I've just been using Rosetta Stone, a few used books and online resources (and friends, I guess) to try to learn Hindi, but it's not easy. I find it funny because the US Gov't is always talking about how they need more speakers of "less commonly taught languages," and how they're "making it a priority" but when push comes to shove, unless you're in grad school and your uni offers the language -- you're really out of luck in learning any Indian languages! I've been so frustrated with the lack of resources available to learn Hindi in the States (or, even harder, Marathi)! I used to live near one of the biggest universities in the nation, and they don't offer Hindi courses! Then, I signed up to take an intensive summer Marathi course at UW Madison, and it was cancelled due to low enrollment.
As it is now, I've just been using Rosetta Stone, a few used books and online resources (and friends, I guess) to try to learn Hindi, but it's not easy. I find it funny because the US Gov't is always talking about how they need more speakers of “less commonly taught languages,” and how they're “making it a priority” but when push comes to shove, unless you're in grad school and your uni offers the language — you're really out of luck in learning any Indian languages!

]]> By: andrea http://gorigirl.com/10-reasons-you-should-learn-your-partners-native-language#comment-1850 andrea Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:05:14 +0000 http://gorigirl.com/10-reasons-you-should-learn-your-partners-native-language#comment-1850 This is so helpful. I am hispanic so my boyfriend askes that I teach him Spanish. I should make him teach my Hindi so I don't feel so weird when I meet the parents. Gosh I get nervous just thinking about it! This is so helpful. I am hispanic so my boyfriend askes that I teach him Spanish. I should make him teach my Hindi so I don't feel so weird when I meet the parents. Gosh I get nervous just thinking about it!

]]> By: surabhi http://gorigirl.com/10-reasons-you-should-learn-your-partners-native-language#comment-1764 surabhi Mon, 25 May 2009 01:31:24 +0000 http://gorigirl.com/10-reasons-you-should-learn-your-partners-native-language#comment-1764 oh yea, it helps. Imagine the mother in law passing out spiteful remarks in the local language. You sure dont want to miss all that. oh yea, it helps. Imagine the mother in law passing out spiteful remarks in the local language. You sure dont want to miss all that.

]]> By: Obstacles to Learning My Partner’s Native Language | Coffee and Tea http://gorigirl.com/10-reasons-you-should-learn-your-partners-native-language#comment-1040 Obstacles to Learning My Partner’s Native Language | Coffee and Tea Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:33:41 +0000 http://gorigirl.com/10-reasons-you-should-learn-your-partners-native-language#comment-1040 [...] While I consider these obstacles that have stood in my way of learning Hindi thus far, I wonder if I actually have what it takes now to overcome the obstacles and do what I know deep down I need to do.  I mean there are all kinds of really great reasons why a person should learn their partner’s native language, which I don’t need to go into here, because GoriGirl has a great blog post all about it. [...] [...] While I consider these obstacles that have stood in my way of learning Hindi thus far, I wonder if I actually have what it takes now to overcome the obstacles and do what I know deep down I need to do.  I mean there are all kinds of really great reasons why a person should learn their partner’s native language, which I don’t need to go into here, because GoriGirl has a great blog post all about it. [...]

]]> By: Gori Girl http://gorigirl.com/10-reasons-you-should-learn-your-partners-native-language#comment-1038 Gori Girl Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:49:50 +0000 http://gorigirl.com/10-reasons-you-should-learn-your-partners-native-language#comment-1038 Hi Jessica, and welcome to the blog! I haven't been around much, as real life has been busy, but it's a new year, and a new start (and mainly, <em>not</em> a new school semester, so I have time). I'll check out your blog in the near futures, but I'll say now that I completely sympathize with your frustrations in learning a new language. Some people have that gift (like Aditya) and some just don't (sorry ol me). :) Hi Jessica, and welcome to the blog! I haven’t been around much, as real life has been busy, but it’s a new year, and a new start (and mainly, not a new school semester, so I have time). I’ll check out your blog in the near futures, but I’ll say now that I completely sympathize with your frustrations in learning a new language. Some people have that gift (like Aditya) and some just don’t (sorry ol me). :)

]]> By: Jessica http://gorigirl.com/10-reasons-you-should-learn-your-partners-native-language#comment-1021 Jessica Mon, 29 Dec 2008 06:21:57 +0000 http://gorigirl.com/10-reasons-you-should-learn-your-partners-native-language#comment-1021 I have to say that I am really enjoying your blog and totally relating to so much I've read here. I'm also an American married to an Indian, and I've just started blogging about my intercultural relationship as well. Not nearly as far along as you, Gori Girl, but I do have an interesting strand going on right now about communication with the partner's mother. I haven't learned much Hindi or Punjabi yet, but given that my mother-in-law speaks very little English, and my husband has difficulty communicating directly with her about my needs, I am finally realizing how important it is for me learn her native language(s). It's really imperative at this point in our marriage that I be able to communicate my needs with his family, especially since they may move in with us (possibly sooner than later). I've put it off for several years because of how difficult it is for me to learn another language and how busy I am raising two small children, but I'm not doing myself any favors by delaying the inevitable any longer. Anyway, I hope you'll check out my blog as well...the strand about language I was referring to is found at <a href="http://www.eastwestmarriageblog.com/?p=1#comments" rel="nofollow">www.eastwestmarriageblog.com/?p=1#comments</a> (It's a little misplaced and off topic from the original post, but I will try to reorganize a bit soon). Thanks! I have to say that I am really enjoying your blog and totally relating to so much I’ve read here. I’m also an American married to an Indian, and I’ve just started blogging about my intercultural relationship as well. Not nearly as far along as you, Gori Girl, but I do have an interesting strand going on right now about communication with the partner’s mother. I haven’t learned much Hindi or Punjabi yet, but given that my mother-in-law speaks very little English, and my husband has difficulty communicating directly with her about my needs, I am finally realizing how important it is for me learn her native language(s). It’s really imperative at this point in our marriage that I be able to communicate my needs with his family, especially since they may move in with us (possibly sooner than later). I’ve put it off for several years because of how difficult it is for me to learn another language and how busy I am raising two small children, but I’m not doing myself any favors by delaying the inevitable any longer. Anyway, I hope you’ll check out my blog as well…the strand about language I was referring to is found at http://www.eastwestmarriageblog.com/?p=1#comments (It’s a little misplaced and off topic from the original post, but I will try to reorganize a bit soon). Thanks!

]]> By: vandana http://gorigirl.com/10-reasons-you-should-learn-your-partners-native-language#comment-724 vandana Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:03:06 +0000 http://gorigirl.com/10-reasons-you-should-learn-your-partners-native-language#comment-724 I would like to make a quick comment on the views postulated by Maamez that "that if there are two languages in the family, it’s unusual for children to be fluent in both. They favour the locally dominant language, and as they get older may even resist learning the minority language. (It’s about wanting to fit into the mainstream". From personal experience I can vouch that this is not always the case and can't be used as a blanket fact. That there are cases where children are completely fluent, ( reading & writing) in two languages. I am married to a white English speaking man and our two teenage kids speak both English & Hindi fluently and also scored top marks in the state in T.E.E English exams(Year 12 )in Australia.They never 'resisted' learning their mother tongue in order to fit in the so-called mainstream. They speak English at Uni/school and Hindi with me while their dad speaks to them in English and they easily switch between the two while having great respect for Indian traditions. In fact they have never felt the need to play down or diminish their indianess in any way, in order to be accepted and would proudly take out their indian lunches ( or tiffin as called by me) as kids at school. I am pretty sure that if they were in a situation or circumsatnce where they were not being respected for their language /heritage they would leave and not take it lying down. But I suppose in this they have had the support of their White English-speaking dad who showed just as much respect for my Indianess and encouraged our kids to be proud of their heritage. Anyway, GoriGirl, good luck with the Bengali language learning. Your future generations will thanks you for this gift of true insight into their dad's culture that knowing a language can bring. I would like to make a quick comment on the views postulated by Maamez that “that if there are two languages in the family, it’s unusual for children to be fluent in both. They favour the locally dominant language, and as they get older may even resist learning the minority language. (It’s about wanting to fit into the mainstream”.
From personal experience I can vouch that this is not always the case and can’t be used as a blanket fact. That there are cases where children are completely fluent,
( reading & writing) in two languages. I am married to a white English speaking man and our two teenage kids speak both English & Hindi fluently and also scored top marks in the state in T.E.E English exams(Year 12 )in Australia.They never ‘resisted’ learning their mother tongue in order to fit in the so-called mainstream. They speak English at Uni/school and Hindi with me while their dad speaks to them in English and they easily switch between the two while having great respect for Indian traditions. In fact they have never felt the need to play down or diminish their indianess in any way, in order to be accepted and would proudly take out their indian lunches ( or tiffin as called by me) as kids at school. I am pretty sure that if they were in a situation or circumsatnce where they were not being respected for their language /heritage they would leave and not take it lying down. But I suppose in this they have had the support of their White English-speaking dad who showed just as much respect for my Indianess and encouraged our kids to be proud of their heritage.
Anyway, GoriGirl, good luck with the Bengali language learning. Your future generations will thanks you for this gift of true insight into their dad’s culture that knowing a language can bring.

]]> By: Gori Girl http://gorigirl.com/10-reasons-you-should-learn-your-partners-native-language#comment-472 Gori Girl Thu, 22 May 2008 21:51:58 +0000 http://gorigirl.com/10-reasons-you-should-learn-your-partners-native-language#comment-472 Hey Meeta - if you go on to the next article ("Do the Needful..."), you can read a bit about my suggestions for resources for learning other languages. So far, the only major Bengali source I've found is Teach Yourself Bengali, which works pretty well as a beginning resource. I suspect that, since you already know Hindi, Bengali won't be as much trouble for you as it is for me, but good luck anyways! Hey Meeta – if you go on to the next article (“Do the Needful…”), you can read a bit about my suggestions for resources for learning other languages. So far, the only major Bengali source I’ve found is Teach Yourself Bengali, which works pretty well as a beginning resource. I suspect that, since you already know Hindi, Bengali won’t be as much trouble for you as it is for me, but good luck anyways!

]]> By: Meeta Sharma http://gorigirl.com/10-reasons-you-should-learn-your-partners-native-language#comment-469 Meeta Sharma Thu, 22 May 2008 15:25:22 +0000 http://gorigirl.com/10-reasons-you-should-learn-your-partners-native-language#comment-469 Hey, great peice. Your story is exactly what i m going to face. I know Hindi and My "would be" is bengali.So i have also started to learn bengali. Hey, great peice. Your story is exactly what i m going to face. I know Hindi and My “would be” is bengali.So i have also started to learn bengali.

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