So, I was called out recently (in real life but I'm posting here now that I've had time to come up with a more eloquent response) about being fluent in four languages without being some kind of researcher / language buff / check list polyglot whatever. Basically how could I, a normal plebian, possibly be fluent in several languages?
Short Answer: Easy- bilingual parent 1 x bilingual parent 2 = quadrilingual (had to google that one) child.
Long Answer: My first language is english. I speak, write, and interact primarily in English. I'm not sure any content on my blog isn't in English (?) just because that's what I'm used to. My default setting so to speak. My dad's first language was ASL (American Sign Language) and I grew up learning that alongside English. I don't know everything and would probably make a sucky professional intrepreter but I can hold a fluent conversation. My mother was raised with English as her first language but most of her family learned Italian first. My mother also knows Italian but doesn't use it much + didn't teach me because her relationship with her family is strained for private, personal reasons. [I will not be taking questions about that. No exceptions.] I learned Italian when I got older (mostly through Duolingo / Youtube / online classes because I was interested in reconnecting with my heritage + learning about that side of the family. [Also won't be taking questions on that. Similarly, no exceptions.] Spanish served as my required high school + college language.
Primary Language- English (fluent)
ASL / American Sign Language (conversationally)
Italian (fluent in educational not native)
Spanish (fluent in educational not native)
Feel free to ask questions / reach out in or about the languages I speak. Please note: I did not grow up speaking Spanish or Italian so I don't speak like a native. Apologies in advance if I use incorrect grammer / make a spelling error / whatever.
Please feel free to reach out in a language not listed above. I do know a handful of other languages partially even if I'm not fluent in them.
