General Discussion

If German has a better word for what we’re trying to say, we use it. If English has a better word or expression, we use that. Starting out point is always German, though, since when we met, her English was rudimentary, so we’ve always spoken German to each other. With our daughters, we always spoke our native languages to them, and now they can both switch effortlessly back and forth, even in mid-sentence. It’s the same with all four grand children. From ages 2.5 to 7, they can all understand and speak both contemporary American English and standard High German. I failed in convincing our son-in-law and our sister-in-law to speak their native languages with their children. I was SOOOO disappointed! Our nephews would have been fluent in Japanese, and our NYC grandsons would have been fluent in Russian. What an incredible FREE gift to take away from them!!!