Reflection
Originally born in the Philippines, Raphael is a twenty-one-year-old college student who has spoken not only Tagalog but also English his entire life. From my personal experiences, his family is deep within their culture and their ethnic background is fully represented in their celebrations and gatherings. The purpose of this interview was to touch on my curiosity of whether his language proficiency coincides with his cultural identity and for my classmates to take interest since Tagalog is not a popular language compared to others.
To begin my interview, I firstly wanted to inform my readers about Rafael’s childhood and his experiences with language specifically. From Raphael’s responses, I could see that he learned naturalistically and was a participant of simultaneous multilingualism. According to Rowland, simultaneous multilingualism occurs when a person learns their multiple languages from birth simultaneously (2014). Rowland’s definition is supported in Raphael’s responses when he gives examples of ways he learned both languages and how he was exposed to both English and Tagalog throughout the day in his interview questions. In addition, Raphael’s responses validate his claim of him being exposed naturalistically when he reiterated the definition of naturalistic learner, a person who learns through “informal opportunities […] without ever receiving any organized instruction” (Ortega, 2009, p.6).
A key topic of Second Language Acquisition I wanted to discuss was the effect of input, a Rowland topic. When asking, “are both of your parents native speakers” and “what percentage of Tagalog and English did you hear on a day to day basis as a child,” I was able to hone in on how active his language development was growing up. Even though it may seem like bilingual children pick up the language quickly, Rowland reveals that their level of proficiency can depend on how much they hear in the household (2014). Since Raphael admitted a sixty-percent English and forty-percent Tagalog household, it may explain why is proficiency is the way it is now. Overall, input is one of many factors that can affect how difficult it is for a child to learn a new language and to keep a new language.
The last content topic that a few of my interview questions derived from was theorists takes on “errors” and loss of language. Raphael is no longer fluent in Tagalog even after stating memories of easily listening to and responding to questions in Tagalog. This is an important topic to speak about since many worry about the loss of culture and native language in America. As for Raphael’s experience, he does not recognize any instances where he could have experienced a consistent jumbling of words or used words in the wrong tense, or errors and mistakes (2014). As for language loss, he does not know a cause for his language loss and the research is vast regarding how humans lose their language and what external and internal factors cause such loss.
Overall, I am glad to learn more about Raphael’s journey with language. For most immigrants from the Philippines, the children are taught Tagalog and then learn English sequentially when they are of school age. Raphael’s story is unique in this way and he did admit that he would one day want to relearn the Tagalog language.
Hello, Jordyn.
ReplyDeleteI found it very interesting that the subject you interviewed, Raphael, can identify with simultaneous multilingualism. I had come to believe that typically, people of different ethnic backgrounds spoke a native language other than English, and English would be a second language that they acquired later. I can see now that my assumption was not true, with Raphael as a prime example. I noticed that he mentioned he did not find any complications with one another as he learned the two languages growing up. Rowland (2014) states that there are two development theories, the autonomous systems theory and the interdependent systems theory (p. 181). I would say that because he did not feel that his English interfered with his Tagalog development and the other way around as well, he can be considered a learner of the autonomous systems theory. I also found it very interesting that he claims he has lost his ability to speak it almost completely even though there was input around him. Would you happen to know if he is still currently exposed to Tagalog on a regular basis? If so, do you think that could help him regain his native roots?
Hello, Alex! I agree that Raphael is a learner of the Autonomous Systems Theory. As for Raphael’s exposure to his native language, he is still currently exposed to Tagalog on a regular basis. When the older generation gets together (my friend’s parents), they are often only speaking Tagalog. I do think this can help Raphael regain his native roots but like he mentioned in his responses, his motivation to speak Tagalog at this time lacks.
DeleteI perfectly understand what you mean. I feel I am in some ways similar to Raphael because over the years, I have regressed in my Cantonese speaking abilities. Even though my parents and other family members speak it to me on a regular basis, I find myself stagnant (and not developing further at all) in how well I know the language. I often stumble on words cause I cannot think about how to properly finish my sentences! I never really thought about it, but my motivation for getting better at Cantonese really is not that high either, so I guess I am in a pretty close situation to your friend Raphael.
DeleteI would like to know why your motivation is low for learning Cantonese? Is it because you are constantly surrounded by the family members who can teach you or maybe because Cantonese is not a language that is widely spoken? One of the interviews I watched had a speaker who said English is the language that would "bring her success." Do you think this is true? If so, do you think that takes away the value of the Cantonese? This is a topic that is very interesting to me because I cannot speak another language fluently. Thank for commenting!
DeleteYou are right actually! Cantonese is less-spoken for most Chinese people, and at times, I had wished that I learned Mandarin growing up, since it is the more common language. Often I feel that Cantonese is a language that would not benefit me too much in the country we live in, so I figure that is why I have a low motivation for learning it. I definitely agree that English is an extremely important language. There is such a strong American influence around the world that you can hear it being spoken everywhere. For the purposes of keeping my culture, I think that learning Cantonese is important. In terms of practical use, however, not so much.
DeleteYour entry is amazing. It is professional and full of great connections between theory and the real world. You have been able to show masterfully how theory helps us make sense of our language learning process. It was great that you chose a less common spoken language in our community and I really like the fact that you pay attention to identity and the role of language to help speakers keep their cultural identity.
ReplyDeleteHello, Dr. Avellaneda! Thank you for the comments about my interview video. I decided to incorporate cultural identity into this video because it is a crucial part of my teaching philosophy. Sometimes culture diminishes in America because of “the American way.” It is important for me to not only accept my students’ culture but also give my students opportunities to embrace their culture. I felt like it would be fitting to incorporate in my assignment. I am glad you enjoyed my video.
DeleteI can relate to Raphael when it comes to losing your proficiency in one language over the other. I grew up learning English and Mandarin Chinese at the same time, able to speak both languages. But now that I speak English at work and school throughout the day, the only chance I get to speak Chinese is at home with my family. My Chinese Vocabulary has diminished over the years, and English is my stronger language now. I would say that because Raphael never received any formal instruction when learning Tagalog, he learned through naturalistic opportunities. According to Ortega, naturalistic opportunities are “Informal opportunities in multicultural neighborhoods, schools and workplaces, without ever receiving any organized instruction on the workings of the language they are learning (2012, p. 6).” Raphael mentioned how he did not find it difficult to learn the languages. I also do not remember it being difficult when learning both languages at the same time. I think it felt so natural because I was learning at my own pace, rather than receiving specific instruction.
ReplyDeleteHi, Emerald! Thank you for sharing your personal experience and relating it to my video. Even though I am not fully fluent in Hawaiian, I did learn may words and phrases to say. Even now, I feel like it is simple for me to pick up more pieces of the Hawaiian language. I think when a child is constantly surrounded by a language when they are younger, it is easier for the child to pick up the language at any age. This assumption can be related to the science of learning a language naturalistically, like you mentioned. Thank you for watching!
DeleteJordyn, your second blog entry video was really well designed and I genuinely enjoyed watching it. The questions you’ve decided to interview your friend gave me a good understanding of the main topic. The Tagalog language does sound unique compared to the more known or used languages in our society. Your friend’s childhood experiences with acquiring the English language was of simultaneous multilingualism. Rowland explains how simultaneous multilingualism occurs when a person learns their multiple languages from birth simultaneously (2014). It’s normal that his input now made it difficult for him to keep his first language. He encountered both English and Tagalog naturalistically but he mainly acquired Tagalog with the help of his family. Growing up with a Tagalog speaking family will certainly help the child acquire the mother language easier. A great explanation of how easy it was for your friend to pick up both languages simultaneous comes from the video Transfer in Child L2 Acquisition. Here we found out that children around the age of seven or eight usually grasp on the correct syntax.
ReplyDeleteGood afternoon, Mary! Great theoretical connection to the Transfer in Child L2 Acquisition video. I am very glad Raphael had the chance to speak a little Tagalog in our interview. Tagalog is a language that many others are not familiar with, so I find it important that Raphael could show off the language we both are connected to culturally. Thank you for watching!
DeleteIt is interesting to hear about Raphael's experience growing up learning two languages at once. Multilingualism is a concept that I have not seen much in my personal life, and this interview showed an approach of learning a language that is different that most other forms. I find it interesting that English eventually was the language that he learned and developed, but proficiency in Tagalog. I understand that Raphael's every day life requires that he uses more English, but had he not moved he might still be completely fluent in both languages. This show the effect that immersion has on developing a language and maintaining it. I understand the approach of maintaining one's culture and language has a major impact one someone's culture. The change in usage of language shows the change in culture within the proximity of Raphael an the effects that no longer being immersed in a language can have.
ReplyDeleteHi, Andrew. I completely agree with your immersion comment. I just mentioned to Dr. Avellaneda above about how American can often affect cultural identity. Now with your observation, I can see how America can do the same with language. It is interesting for me learn how Raphael’s language was lost by living in America. He could be bilingual but since his everyday life has been done in English for 10+ years, I could see how his proficiency in Tagalog weakened. Thank you for challenging my viewpoints on my video
DeleteHello Jordyn! I really enjoyed your video with Raphael. Raphael seems to share a common experience with most ELL people who have been interviewed on other blogs which is that he was a naturalistic learner of English. Raphael took on these informal opportunities as a way to educate himself on the English language and eventually was able to somewhat master the language. It seems as though Raphael's story also further proves the point that grammar instruction isn't necessary when learning another language. Ortega states that "grammar competence requires more attention and hard work", which was off putting to most. Him learning naturalistically demonstrates that having interest in the language and the message being said is most important (outgo 2013, p.80).
ReplyDeleteI thought it was an interesting note that Raphael had lost fluency in Tagalog. I have also found this to be another trend amongst a lot of the interviwees throughout the blogs. Sandra, the girl I had interviewed had also lost fluency in her first language as she had to speak more English. I think that phenomenon ties into the old saying "use it or lose it". I wonder the kind of conflicting emotions a person would have that surround losing a language that your first born into knowing. I feel as though there would be a loss of cultural ties or familiarity.
Good afternoon, Lola! It really is unfortunate that many of the people we interviewed loss a bit of their proficiency by living in America instead of their home country. For me, an American born, I am worried about how intensely the English language is used in even other countries. The emotional factor of losing a language is a great point to consider. I, too, wonder if the ones who lose their language feel like they are losing part of their cultural identity as well or part of themselves in a way. Thank you for commenting!
DeleteCultural identity is something I think about often since I'm around so many people who are from different countries. Language is at the crux of culture, and to lose it is to lose an integral part of one's culture. I wonder whether some people are okay with the tradeoff of losing part their native culture, such as language, in order to gain a better understanding of the culture of whatever country they move to, such as America.
DeleteHello Jordyn, I love your interview and how it discussed a language that was less common in our class. Rafael described that he was a simultaneous bilingual with exposure to 60 % English and 40% of his native language. I found it interesting that Rafael lost his native language, and his uncertainty of why he lost it. He also discussed how he was exposed to the language throughout he entire life, but he lost motivation to speak it because he could understand it. Motivational factors play a key role in retention of lexicons, syntax, and semantics of a language and adapting to a new culture and its dominant language. Once It was fascinating that he experienced the shift of being bilingual to monolingual. I am a monolingual speaker, but I made a connection to the interview. I am acquiring theSpanish language, and I am currently at the stage in which I understand more than I can speak. However, my experience differs because it is a motivational factor for me to learn more.
ReplyDeleteOverall this was a great interview with eliciting questions and professional format.
Hey Jordyn!
ReplyDeleteI agree that input greatly influences the progression of acquiring a second language. As Krashen mentions, the input hypothesis is when the learner improves and progresses along in a natural order when he or she receives a second language. I think Rafael's loss of proficiency in Tagalog was simply based on the fact that he became more fluent in English and when immersed in a English speaking country, it makes it easier to get better at English and harder to maintain the L1.