Where is it? Why does it exist? How can the problem be solved? Is there a problem? The answers to all of these questions really just depends on who you are speaking to and, in my opinion, where they stand.
I will just be frank about my perspective. There are economic, political, and social implications when discussing, in both the positive and negative light, how terms, such as Spanglish, are addressed in regard to people. At least as the term(s) continue to evolve from having a negative connotation to a positive one.
The above is a post I started seven months, but never finished. I remember having just watched a debate between academics about the use of Spanglish. I was inspired. I was many things…angry, curious, intrigued, and again, inspired. I continue to be all of those the further I explore how people use language in everyday speech. For those of you, who actually read my blog, I have to admit that I have neglected to spend more time exploring these issues about language in my life, and those of others on my blog. I have been swamped by all of the demands my doctoral program requires of me, along with mommy-hood, and a part-time job.
So, for now, I turn the question to the readers, or those who happen to run into this blog: where is the controversy in Franglais, Singlish, or Spanglish?
Hi chanced upon your blog… I am also trying to raise a bilingual and hopefully trilingual baby. I have good support with my in-laws speaking English, parents speaking Mandarin (Chinese) and my husband knows a little French (with the help of petite pim, my baby is being exposed to French as well). My baby is 1+ now and I think we have seen the fruits of our labour now that baby understands at least two languages and is equally comfortable with both. I would like to encourage more people to expose your child to more languages – I think this also helps in their cognitive development (I am not a researcher just a personal opinion).
On another note, I am an avid supporter of Singlish.. being a Singaporean…. I believe this is part of my identity. I believe that there is nothing wrong using Singlish, to me it is the most ‘Singaporean’ thing we have.. (Singapore being a very ‘young’ country). Although I am not a very fluent English speaker nor a good Mandarin speaker, I think the key is being able to code switch when necessary.
All the best to your research and mommy-hood, you have inspired me today!
We are having our daughter watch Petite Pim, too! I like those videos. Do you live in Singapore? Yes, I agree, speaking different languages can be very much part of someones identity. Have you thought about other ways that you plan on doing to expose your baby trilingually? We are planning on focusing on French in the summers via a camp and throughout the year with videos and by reading books in French. With Spanish we are speaking it at home and hopefully will always be able to send her to a Spanish speaking school. The best of luck to you as well! Thanks for sharing your story 😉