Bilingualism adds to parent weekend
Juncadella family speak, breathe hispanic culture
David Steffen
Issue date: 10/30/08 Section: News
"I have switched my text to Spanish so I can get the ñ, ¿ and ¡" María said as she pulled her phone from her purse.
But during Parent Weekend, in-person interaction dominates. José said he and his wife are on the parents' committee and have visited during every Parent Weekend.
"When we come here, we feel very welcomed by everybody," he said. "And they do notice our accent."
María said even on campus, Spanish is habitual while speaking with her daughter.
"I'd turn over to her, and it comes out in Spanish," she said. "I'll turn around and talk to her instinctively in Spanish."
During similar exchanges, other parents sometimes introduce themselves.
"They come over and say, 'I took four years of Spanish'"
María said. "They'll say, '¡Hola, amigo!' and come to say they love our language."
Sofía said she feels in her element while speaking Spanish with her parents on campus, even though she speaks perfect English.
"I can be 'myself' - not that I'm not normally - but I feel very relaxed and comfortable," Sofía said.
She only occasionally speaks Spanish on campus and usually just a few phrases to interested students, she said.
"When my parents are over, I feel like there's more of us," Sofía said.
But during Parent Weekend, in-person interaction dominates. José said he and his wife are on the parents' committee and have visited during every Parent Weekend.
"When we come here, we feel very welcomed by everybody," he said. "And they do notice our accent."
María said even on campus, Spanish is habitual while speaking with her daughter.
"I'd turn over to her, and it comes out in Spanish," she said. "I'll turn around and talk to her instinctively in Spanish."
During similar exchanges, other parents sometimes introduce themselves.
"They come over and say, 'I took four years of Spanish'"
María said. "They'll say, '¡Hola, amigo!' and come to say they love our language."
Sofía said she feels in her element while speaking Spanish with her parents on campus, even though she speaks perfect English.
"I can be 'myself' - not that I'm not normally - but I feel very relaxed and comfortable," Sofía said.
She only occasionally speaks Spanish on campus and usually just a few phrases to interested students, she said.
"When my parents are over, I feel like there's more of us," Sofía said.
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