I believe in being as Hmong as I can be
I believe that I should learn how to read, write, and know how to speak in Hmong. As for writing and reading, hardly any of us know how because we're not exposed to the real written language. We have our own written language in which years ago we refused to accept it. I understand that now we're in America and it's hard for us to keep our language going because English is the dominate language here. However, I believe that the most important thing is to know how to speak Hmong first, and then read and write.
I believe that I should know how to speak in my language because it's one of the most important elements of any ethnic group. I find it quite embarrassing when one doesn't know how to speak their native language. If you don't know how to speak in your own language, others will think that you don't value your language. This also depends on how you were raised too -- I understand if you were not taught as a youngster. What if you were asked to translate to a Hmong Elder for a non-Hmong? What happens if you turn down that person because you don't know how to speak Hmong? At least if you're not proficient, know the basics of your language.
Knowing how to read and write in Hmong is not a must. I would say that if you want to learn then you should try, but you shouldn't turn it down and see it as an unimportant attempt. I'm not saying that whatever you do is wrong, but you should consider it. You don't have to do everything but value some of the things. I am a person with pride and I enjoy doing as much as I can do as who I am.
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Comments
Don't lie to yourself
I understand that this is America and English is the primary language, but it doesn't hurt for one to know other language(s), especially your own.
What's mind-boggling to me is that these same people who find it "unimportant" or "unnecessary" to know how to read/write/speak the language are the same people that think they "should" be representing the community because they feel they're above everyone else due to their "exceptional" English reading/writing/speaking abilities.
Contrary to Gue's response, "embarrassment" is "embarrassment" no matter how you look at it. Imagine this: you're a Hmong-American detective and you're questioning another Hmong-American, who's limited in English but fluent in Hmong. Would you not feel embarrassed if they had to turn to "Detective Jones," who is caucasian and fluent in Hmong?? Me, personaly, I would feel like a dumb ass.
embarrassing to speak your own native language?
We Hmong people have moved from Mongolia to china, thailand, laos, vietnam, and other country for thousand years. we now still speaking HMONG. That is the reason why today YOU are still HMONG. Embarrassing to speak your own native language? one day in the future, your "NOT HMONG" people will come back and dig under every rocks to find your own clothings, writing language and/or your history... it doesn't matter what you do, if a Hmong person give birth to you, YOU ARE HMONG.
Look at Michael jackson, he can't speak black, his skin got White. now tell me, is he white or black?
Don't tell me your Hmong kids need some one to translate HMONG to a HMONG person. That is what i called embarrassing.
Hope you got it.
Thanks and please excuse my English.
Re:
This is the most striking sentence that I found: "I find it quite embarrassing when one doesn't know how to speak their native language."
I want to point out that what a person found embarrassing may not be so to another person. In other words, what is embarrassing to you do not to your fellowman. "That is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary." -The Talmud
Of course, it's important to learn about your native language, but an individual born into the respected language group has the rights to choose whether or not he/she should learn to write, read, and/or speak in his/her native language. A Hmong person who doesn't know how to write, read, and speak in Hmong is still a Hmong person. Is it embarrassing? The answer depends on the individual. If the individual finds the fact that not knowing how to read, write, and speak in his/her native language is embarrassing, then he/she should do something about it.
This blog counts, so keep it up!
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