Hey, I'm all for multiculturalism. Dora is practically a member of my family, and I push Kai-Lan whenever I can. (She's really cute.) But I resent being forced to actually participate in the multiculturalism.
Por ejemplo, the library book A brought home from school today. It is called, "Gracias, Rosa." Unfortunately, I studied French (wtf?? why???) in high school and college, so my pronunciation of the book title is more like, "Grassy-ass, Rose-uh!"
The book only got worse, rubbing my nose in my priveleged American lifestyle of sloth and consumerism. But I didn't mind that part so much as I minded the Spanish phrases thrown in on every page, forcing me to make an ass out of myself in front of my children, who speak much better Spanish than I do. Dora and Diego 4, Sesame Street 0.
Sure, they provide a pronunciation key on the last page, but do they really think I'm going to a) flip back to it on every page, or b) study ahead of time? Mierda to the no, I'm not. Insert the pronunciation into the text for us gringos, por favor!
Lucky for me, if I am questioned by the children I can chalk my pronunciation up to different dialects. Rosa is from Guatemala and Dora is from La Tierra de Muy Grande Cabeza.
Mommy Break
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When it comes to children and pets, I can be extremely patient, and I
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I did study Spanish, but, I cringe at anything French sounding/looking...so I know what you mean. Try tuning into Disney for Handy Manny sometime...the whole show is a perfect example of what you're talking about.
ReplyDelete...and as our school actually teaches Chinese, let me tell you from experience, there is nothing like your children knowing a whole (partial ?) alphabet that you don't. Ugh.
Bring the book with you in a few weeks. Spanish pronunciation is very simple. I can help.
ReplyDeleteLizanne
We have many Spanish-language kids books in our local library that my children sometimes bring home by mistake. I just refuse to read them. I took French, too, and maybe someday we'll visit Canada and I'll get to show off a little.
ReplyDeleteOMG you are too funny.
ReplyDeleteAs a Spanish teacher, I'm quite impressed with your Spanish. Unlike French, you pronounce every letter so I bet you'll get the hang of it. Spanish certainly isn't going away...french might. As far as Kai-lan goes, she's making me look dumb. I don't need that in front of my kids. They constantly ask how you say things in Spanish. I can usually come up with the right word or make it up. Now that Kai-lan is on, I'm looking dumb. I have no idea how to say Rhinoceros in Chinese...so I see what you mean. Just make it up. They will never know. =)
ReplyDeleteI am a self-proclaimed liberal, but I'm with you on this one.
ReplyDeleteToo funny. Luckily, I studied Spanish and my husband studies French and we don't have cable so the kids don't want to immitate Kai-lan. It will be my luck that they will try teaching them Chinese or Japanese when they get to school age. I think I'll tell them to just not talk in that class and use their sign language instead. hehe
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