My grandparents migrated here from Mexico nearly 100 years ago. They did not speak a word of English when they arrived here. When they had children they insisted that they integrate in to the American schools and adopt English as their primary language. Spanish was spoken in the home but my mother, aunts, and uncles learned to use both languages depending upon the circumstance and surroundings. Over time, however, the ability to speak, read, and write in Spanish slowly dissipated from the family and now three generations later no one is fluent.
It's difficult to speak multiple languages. Not everyone is born with the ability and gift to communicate in different dialects. It's estimated that only 21% of Americans speak a second language other than English. Multilingual individuals show much more brain activity in the right hemisphere of the brain. Science shows us that right-brain thinkers are generally more intuitive, thoughtful, and creative...read more.