Quadlingual Environment: Experiences, suggestions?

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yellowmud

Registered User
Hi there, I am new to this forum.
Not even sure if that would be the correct term for four-languages.
My wife and me are waiting for the birth of our son. He is due in three weeks. I am German, and my wife is Chinese (mandarin speaking). I was wondering if people would like to share their experience about raising children in a multi-lingual environment.
My wife and me communicate in Mandarin and English (roughly 50/50, sometimes horribly mixed). We want my son to learn German and Mandarin. So far the plan is that we both only use our mother tongues to speak to him (my wife only understands very little German. so that might get funny at some point).
I am a bit concerned about Canto and English. Both language are very similar to Mandarin and German respectively and will certainly flow around him as well in the HK environment.
Is there anybody with such a linguistic configuration around here?
What is your experience with separating languages? Absolutely necessary or not?
Any kind of experience welcome.

Cheers
 
(1) Start with your respective mother tongues. Usually, the primary caregiver will transfer the primary language (mother tongue) of your child. The other language development can manifest itself in many different manners. Currently, my child is a passive bilingual. Understands but reluctant to use German. English is his mother tongue as we both use it. So he speaks English. Starting with what you are both native in is very important as you are setting his/her foundation of universal grammar.

(2) When communicating with each other - husband and wife, choose a language you are both proficient in - we use English. I don't speak German. My son only hears German from dad. He thinks that it's a secret dad-son language. If neither of you are proficient in English, then leave that to school as a domain to pick up the language and you can support this language development.

(3) When your child is old enough to understand the distinctions, then you can introduce a fourth language. Select domains in which the child can use Cantonese only... E.g. Attend a Cantonese church - domain based usage or attend a Cantonese playgroup. The principle behind this is that in order to support any chosen language, attend groups associated with this language.

All language exposure must be consistent and clear at the beginning. Try not to code-switch as it confuses your child and the development of universal grammar (the foundation understanding of grammar) can be totally screwed for all languages. That is why it is advisable to start with the languages which you both are native in. If the universal grammar is not developed well, the evidence is only obvious much later and by then, it'll be too late. I see this in my classrooms where kids come from multilingual homes of different dialects... not even different languages.... just different Chinese dialects. Parents code-switch as neither parents can communicate well in their respective mother tongues.

My opinions are based on personal experience and on my own academic work on bilingualism. I am by no expert and it has been a year since I've completed any research on bilingualism. Effective bilingualism/multilingualism is a complex process. We have decided on building foundations for our child. As early exposure research is inconclusive. A lot of it is hearsay promoted by baby mags/ed mags., opinions by "experts". What is the clearest indicator for success in multilingualism (in the future)is laying a healthy foundation in mother tongue(s) development. Children do get confused - work with the limitations and abilities of your own child.
So, good luck!
 
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Hi Spockey,

Thanks for this detailed and competent answer! A secret dad-son language sounds interesting. ;)

I planned to stick to one language in talking with my son. Although, as a linguistic layman, I haven't thought about it in such a proficient manner. Yet, it makes intuitive sense and if this strategy might even be important for some foundational cognitive structures, it seems even more important.

As for communication between us, we use both Mandarin and English and are both proficient in both (although I could certainly improve my Chinese) Does your advice on not switching codes also go for husband-wife communication? That would prove a bit more difficult for us I suppose.
 
I'm not for code-switching during the foundation years - particularly for two very complex languages: Chinese and English. I'd say stick to one language and try very hard not to code-switch. It's not easy but important in the early stages.

My son is able to distinguish and understand that there are three languages around - German, English and Chinese. So, we're now able to code-switch but only because he understands them and the placement of the word in the sentence is the same.

For example: You have to shower now.
Dad would say it in German and because I am trying to use more German words in my daily conversations and also trying to show him that it is possible to use German in his speech (where as I said he is a passive bilingual), I would say, "You have to duschen." Or I would just say, "Duschen!"

We've only just started this - He is 3+ and clearly knows the distinctions between languages and the concept of differences is clear.

I should also add that sometimes, kids don't display bilingualism until much later. So whatever you do, keep at it. My friends' daughter did not show signs of bilingualism (and proficient to boot!) until she was 4. She began speaking fluent French and English almost at the same time. What is important is to remember that their brains are like sponges right now and will manifest their abilities in their own time.
 
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Spockey- your replies are very helpful! I have a question about my own situation. My son is almost 5 months old. My husband and I are fluent in English and Cantonese and speak to each other on both. My helper speaks English only and as I work full time I also have a daytime nanny Monday to Friday who takes care of my son and speaks to him in Cantonese. Grandparents who see my son on weekends speak in Cantonese to him. We want him tobebilingual in English andcantonese. So what language shouldme and my husband speak to him in? Right now we mix our two languages when we speak to him. Should we pick one language each and stick to that when we speak to him? Thanks!
 
I see. Thanks!

So I guess we should think about a family language. I guess I would prefer Mandarin as it would help me to improve. Guess my wife would prefer English though.
 
This is an interesting topic as this has been our concern as well. I have no suggestion to offer but wants to share our situation and perhaps we could meet when our children are a little older so that they can play together. :)

Yellowmud, similar to your situation, My husband is German and I am Chinese. We are both proficient in English. So, at home, we speak English only because my hubby's Chinese Mandarin is as poor as my German.

Our son was born in Hong Kong and has a Chinese name (with my family name ) and an English name ( a first name that spells the same in German and English and he take his father's last name).

Our 11 week old has been exposed to English, Chinese Mandarin, Cantonese and a Cantonese local dialect.

Our helper speaks Mandarin and Cantonese. By my request, she only talks to my son in Mandarin.

My huge extended family speaks a local dialect. We are living in the Mainland and near my family. My extended family gathers quite often and our son is exposed to this dialect whether we like it or not.

I posted a while ago in this topic and I believe Spockey also gave me some helpful advice.

Many people said to me that our son may delay in his speech because he might be confused with so many different languages around him.

We want our son to be able to speak English and Chinese Mandarin first, since English is our common language and China is where he is raised.

Intuitively, We just think that he should take one language at a time and have that to be his active language.

And thinking back my own language/dialect learning process, it helps us to decide what might work for our son. I learn to speak local dialect at home; learn to read and write Mandarin at school; learn to speak Cantonese through watching TV ( although Cantonese and our local dialect are quite similar). I learn English at school and then perfected it through traveling, living and studying in English speaking countries.

So, at home, we would stick to one main language, English (mother and father language) and then Mandarin (mother and helper, helper and son). Extended family dialect can be a passive language that he understands but hopefully talks back in Mandarin.

While in China, we plan to send him to English medium playgroup and school. Then he would learn Mandarin as it goes with my helper or other teachers. As for German, We hope he would get it through our trips back to Germany and attending summer schools there when he is older enough.

I think we all agree that acquiring three languages ( able to read and write) requires a lot of hard work for adults. I believe it's hard work for babies and children too although they learn faster than us. I don't want to place too high expectation on him.
 
i have a friend that i met in my area. She is from China so she speaks Mandarin, she married to a Finland husband and has a son. She speaks to the son in strickly Mandarin and he speaks to him in his Finland language. He goes to kindergarten that speak English so he is speaking 3 languages without any problem. They have moved to Shenzhen then to India now so he is attenting international school so his best language is English and his mom said he prefers to speak in English, however, his parents are not giving in to him but continue to speak both mother tongues to him at all time. The last time they came back for holiday, he is speaking 3 languages extremely well. Oh, not forgetting that he is learning abit if Hindi too :) I guess you and yoru wife just got to speak to him/her whatever that you both want him to learn. he/she will figure out and switch immediately to speak to you both and the helper and the relatives. I am sure he/she will be stronger in Mandarin because you and your wife speaks this langugage most of the time and that is where she/he will pick up most words from it.
 
If I didn't speak English, I woudn't bother with English.
Not because it is not important but if your child is attending an International school where the curriculum is taught in English, your child will pick up the language. You see this happening everywhere in Hong Kong. As far as proficiency is concerned, it's a matter of building blocks. The child will in time become more proficient. But because English is my mother tongue and our common communication language (between mom and dad), it is my son's dominant language. Plus, I'm a believer of Master of One rather than Jack of all trades but master of none.

So, if both parents have different mother tongues and can find domains to use other languages, and the child attends an English as a method of communication international school then, leave English for later. (If you are looking for the multilingual approach).

Like Carey, we plan to make trips to Germany and find support programmes in the future for formal acquisition of German. But right now, the focus is on developing a base from which other language development can grow. If his innate grammar system is well developed, then he'll have no trouble picking up and understanding other languages.

And Carey mentioned that she believes that setting a foundation is important. Totally agree with this and this has been supported by a lot of research too. I don't believe in language delay but I do believe in setting foundations from which to build upon (as was mentioned). Once your universal grammar (your innate grammar) is set, there has been many studies conducted to show that no matter what other language a child/teenager/adult picks up, there is a higher chance of success.

There are trade-offs in bilingualism/multilingualism. And there will always be one language in which you are better. And this is the language used the most.This will become your dominant language. No one is actually truly bilingual.

FutureHKmum - I would not code switch until your child understands that there are two distinct languages at play. There has been studies to show that code-switching helps but these studies have looked at teenagers, adults, ... in general older learners tend to code switch. So, I'd refrain from mixing Cantonese and English.
 
This is an interesting topic as this has been our concern as well. I have no suggestion to offer but wants to share our situation and perhaps we could meet when our children are a little older so that they can play together. :)

Too bad you are not living in HK. ;)

Our son was born in Hong Kong and has a Chinese name (with my family name ) and an English name ( a first name that spells the same in German and English and he take his father's last name).

I see. So it seems we are not the only ones with this idea.

I think we all agree that acquiring three languages ( able to read and write) requires a lot of hard work for adults. I believe it's hard work for babies and children too although they learn faster than us. I don't want to place too high expectation on him.

Sure reading and writing doesn't come without a lot of work (particularly for Chinese that is). The great thing is that in order to learn speaking languages perfectly, children do not have to "work" but can do it by playing. I think that when we support them sensibly with that, learning multiple languages at home is one of the greatest gifts you can give to your child. :wow:
 
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Spockey- what does code switch mean? using both languages at the same time? But it would be ok for one parent to use just one language and the other use the other language, right? But then how should my husband and I speak to each other in front of our son? With just one language or like before with both? Thanks!
 
I guess she means code-switching as switching between languages. I guess the most important thing is to stick to one language each when speaking to the kid.
 
Code-Switch means to use both languages at the same time. So, if you usually speak in English but use some keywords/phrases in another language, then you are codeswitching.

For example,

You are so ma fan! (mafan - difficult in Cantonese - I can't spell in Canto either.

Today, I am going to belanja you. (belanja - treat you to something)

Papa, can you hookapuck me please? (hukapuck - carry over the shoulder in German - Sorry can't spell in German)

Two parents, each using only one language without interference from another language is not code-switching. Only the child has to switch to understand.
 
Hi Spockey - thanks for clarifying. Would it be ok for me to sometimes speak english and sometimes speak cantonese but make sure I don't code switch? So for example, say complete sentences in english and then complete sentences in cantonese? It's so natural for me to speak both languages to my husband and my parents that it will be hard to just stick to one language. Whereas, it would be just much easier to make sure I don't insert english words in cantonese sentences or vice versa. thanks!
 
I am glad that I see this thread.

My husband and I have different mother tongues so we communicate in English. He speaks to our daughter in English and I use Cantonese. Cantonese is harder to learn and we intend to send our daughter to local kindergarten later.

I hope our daughter will pick up both languages at the same time without too much difficulties. We have a Cantonese neighbour who talk to each other in Cantonese but speaks English to their son so he is exposed to 2 languages at the same time. He then went to an international kindergarten where mandarin was taught. From my observation, the boy is confused with 3 languages and he does not know how to speak a complete sentence in one language until he is about 4 and he often includes 2 languages (mostly English and some Cantonese) in his sentence. It will be interesting to see when he starts his new school in September as he will be learning German as well.

I think if we want our kids to learn Chinese especially Cantonese, it's important to teach them at an young age and let them go to a local school. Correct me if I am wrong.
 
Well, in Chinese the way we speak is different from writing and Chinese characters are harder to write, that's what I think.
 
FutureHKmom

It's common practice what you are doing.
Why don't you just fine tune your practice by splitting up into domains? Use English at playgroups and Cantonese at home?

There's really no right or wrong method when using two languages differently (as long as the two aren't mixed before they (the kids) understand the differences).

Cheers!
 
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