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?