Lessons on Preserving Bilingual Identity
The “Seinn Lann Myaing” Family moved to the United States in 2001. At that time, they faced an important decision that would affect not only their own lives but also the lives of their children. Like many immigrant families who arrive in a new country, they wanted to integrate quickly into society. They thought the best way to do this was by adopting the language of their new home. Therefore, they made a deliberate choice: they would stop speaking their native language, Myanmarsar (Burmese), at home and would communicate only in English. Their reasoning was simple. Since they were now living in an English-speaking country, they believed that English should completely replace their mother tongue.
At first, this decision seemed practical and even wise. The parents thought it would help their children succeed in school, make friends more easily, and eventually secure good jobs. The children quickly picked up English and became fluent. Over time, the family grew accustomed to speaking only one language, and the Burmese language slowly disappeared from their daily lives.
The children of the “Seinn Lann Myaing” Family are now adults, and like many immigrant families, they occasionally travel to Myanmar to visit old relatives and reconnect with their roots. Unfortunately, each visit brings a painful realization. They cannot communicate effectively with their own family members. Their grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins in Myanmar feel close emotionally, but a significant barrier remains between them: language. The parents now regret their earlier decision.
This scenario is not unique to this one family. It repeats itself countless times across the world. Immigrants often let go of not only their cultural traditions but also their native language when they move abroad. At first, they see it as a small sacrifice in order to adapt to the new country. However, over time, this sacrifice becomes a permanent loss. They give up the countless benefits of being bilingual.
Communication
One of the most practical advantages of being bilingual is the ability to communicate with more people across the globe. Language is the most basic tool for human connection. People who can speak two or more languages are not limited to their own group; they can build friendships, conduct business, and form meaningful relationships with a much wider range of people.
For bilingual individuals, communication is direct and personal. They do not need to rely on interpreters or on the hope that everyone they meet will understand their language. They are independent, confident, and self-reliant. They carry the ability to express their ideas and emotions across cultural borders. In contrast, monolingual individuals are forced to depend on others when they encounter people who do not share their tongue. This dependency can limit opportunities, create misunderstandings, and even cause feelings of isolation.
Thus, bilinguals are masters of their own words. They control how their ideas are shared and interpreted. This independence is not just convenient; it is empowering. It allows them to participate fully in the increasingly interconnected world of today.
Bilingualism as a Gateway to Culture
The benefits of bilingualism extend far beyond the practical ability to talk with more people. Learning and using a second language is also a gateway to understanding another culture in depth. Culture and language are inseparable. Every idiomatic expression, every joke, every proverb carries within it the history and values of the people who use it.
Take, for example, American English. A common idiomatic expression is “to put your John Hancock on something”, which means to sign your name. To a person unfamiliar with American history, this expression may seem puzzling. Only those who know about John Hancock’s famous and bold signature on the Declaration of Independence can fully appreciate the literal and symbolic meaning of this phrase. This demonstrates how language preserves cultural knowledge and makes it accessible to those who speak it.
The same is true in Myanmar. Certain Burmese sayings or expressions carry deep cultural meaning that cannot be easily translated. Humour, poetry, and even daily conversation are filled with references that reflect centuries of tradition, history, and social values. Without knowledge of the language, these cultural treasures are invisible. Thus, bilingualism is not only a tool for communication but also a key to cultural awareness and appreciation.
Strengthening Family and Identity
Another important, yet often overlooked, benefit of bilingualism is the strengthening of family ties and personal identity. Language is more than a collection of words; it is a bridge between generations. When children can speak the language of their parents and grandparents, they gain access to family stories, cultural traditions, and a sense of belonging. They learn about their heritage not just through books or translated accounts but through living conversations.
In the case of the “Seinn Lann Myaing” Family, the decision to abandon the Burmese created a gap between generations. The children lost not only the ability to converse with relatives in Myanmar but also an important part of their cultural identity. They may feel American by language and culture, but they have lost a direct connection to their roots. This is a common tragedy among immigrant families, and it highlights the importance of maintaining bilingualism within the home.
Bilingualism and Global Awareness
Beyond the personal and family benefits, bilingualism has the potential to improve international relationships and promote global peace. If more people in the world spoke a second or third language, cross-cultural understanding would increase. Miscommunication could be reduced.
Knowing another country’s language allows people to see the world from a different perspective. It helps them appreciate the struggles, values, and dreams of people from other places. For example, someone who speaks Burmese and English can understand both American and Myanmar perspectives. This dual awareness creates empathy and reduces prejudice. On the other hand, ignorance of another language often creates distance, fear, and mistrust.
The Real Tragedy
The advantages of bilingualism are so clear that it is difficult to find any disadvantages at all. Being able to speak two or more languages enriches a lot of better communication, deeper cultural understanding, stronger family ties, and even broader global awareness. Yet the real tragedy is not that people fail to learn new languages. The greater tragedy is when people who already have the gift of bilingualism neglect it.
This neglect often happens when immigrants abandon their native language in the pursuit of assimilation. At first, they think they are helping their children by focusing only on the dominant language of their new country. But in reality, they are depriving them of a lifelong advantage. Without regular use, the native language fades away, and with it goes a rich part of identity and heritage.
Languages must be practised to stay alive. Speaking them daily at home, reading books, listening to music, and watching films in both languages are ways to maintain bilingualism. Communities can also support cultural events and schools that encourage bilingual education. In doing so, they not only preserve a language but also pass on the invaluable benefits to future generations.
The story of the “Seinn Lann Myaing” Family illustrates a powerful lesson. In the quest to adapt to a new environment, they let go of their native language, and in doing so, they lost the ability to connect deeply with their roots and relatives. Their experience reminds us that bilingualism is not just a skill; it is a treasure that enriches individuals, families, and societies.
To lose a language is to lose more than words – it is to lose the voice of our ancestors and the soul of our culture. Bilingualism is not just speaking two tongues; it is carrying two worlds within us, each offering new ways to love, connect, and understand. When a language fades, so does identity, heritage, and the bridge to future generations. In a world divided by borders and misunderstandings, embracing more than one language is not only a skill but also an act of healing. To be bilingual is to be whole, to belong to more than one home, and to honour both past and future with every word.
By Yin Nwe Ko
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