Language

When you speak with someone in their native tongue

When you make that first effort

You see their eyes light up

Though you may be nervous or embarrassed

Or not know how to say that one tricky syllable

You feel their pride

Their encouragement

When you can’t speak your own language

You feel cut off from your heritage

Like you are missing a part of who you are

When you can’t speak to your grandparents in their own language

Your own language

When they didn’t teach their children

Because society told them that English was the norm

English was the standard

The only thing that was accepted

And their children had to learn from outside

Had to take the bits and scraps

Just to uncover their own heritage

What does it mean to be you

When you can’t speak your own language?