Haitian Creole: Why it is important to speak your native language to your child

Bragging - Fè Djòlè (Haitian Creole)

How can you explain this? Russian children in the United States speak Russian and English fluently. Spanish children speak Spanish and English fluently. children with Portuguese background speak both Portuguese and English fluently. the Haitian-American children, they only speak English.

Do you think you're doing the next generation of Haitian-Americans a favor by denying them the chance to speak their native tongue?

I love it when a first generation Haitian-American tells me: "Oh sorry, I don't speak Haitian."

Whose fault is that?

There is a Haitian saying "Creole pale Creole konprann". Do not take it lightly it means a lot more than you think.

You are Haitian, Creole is your native language. Speaking your native language to your child is crucial for various reasons, and it offers numerous benefits for both the child and the broader community.

There are many reasons why this is important:

1. Cultural Identity: Language is deeply intertwined with culture, and by speaking your native language to your children, you are helping them connect with their cultural roots.

Haiti a country to be proud of. Haiti is a country rich in history and culture. It is important for a child to know who he is and where he's from. Language is an essential part of his identity, and preserving it ensures that the child maintains a strong sense of belonging and pride in their heritage.

They are black people all over the world and then there are Haitians. We have changed the course of history in ways that will never be surpassed until the Lord Jesus Christ returns to reclaim the earth. That's Haitian Pride. Pass it on to your kids.

Hopefully, one day, you and your child will understand the true meaning amd value of the Haitian culture. Creole, your native language helps you to pass it on to the next generation.

2. Family Bonding: Language is a powerful tool for communication, and it helps foster a stronger bond between parents and their children.

Have you ever watched a typical Haitian grandmother or grandfather babysitting their grandkids trying to talk some sense into them in English?

Do you really think Grandma and Grandpa have enough words in their vocabulary to pass on all of their knowledge and values to their grandkids in a foreign language they can barely speak?

When you speak your native language to your child, you create a unique and intimate connection that goes beyond words. This strengthens the parent-child relationship and nurtures a sense of security and trust.

Haiti is a culture where family values and history are passed on in songs, storytelling and music. How do you translate all that and pass it on to a kid in a foreign language?

You can't. It is impossible, simply impossible.

3. Cognitive Development: Research has shown that being bilingual or multilingual can positively impact cognitive development.

Creole is a language like every other language on the planet no matter how much Haitians belittle it. Most of us do and I understand. Haiti a country built by former slaves and for our entire existence other cultures have tried to make us feel inferior about ourselves and our little island nation.

Creole is the only language that every single Haitian across the globe speak and understand perfectly. Even those who pretend not to speak it understand it.

Tell any haitian child: "flanke bouda w la. Femen bouch ou!"

Oh they understand quick.

Make sure your child is bilingual. Make sure your Haitian child speaks another language, your native Haitian Creole language, besides the English or Spanish they are speaking right now based on which borrowed country you currently live.

Research shows bilingual children tend to have better executive functioning skills, such as problem-solving, multitasking, and creative thinking.

Bilingual children also tend to perform better in tasks that require cognitive flexibility.

4. Linguistic Advantages: a Haitian child, like any other child, can speak a multitude of languages all at the same time at an early age.

Learning multiple languages from an early age can make it easier for the child to pick up additional languages later in life.

The early exposure to different sounds and grammatical structures enhances their language-learning abilities.

5. Academic Performance: Children who grow up speaking their native language often perform better academically.

This the single most important thing that all Haitian parents should know when raising children in a foreign land. Speaking your native tongue to your children make them smarter.

Being bilingual can improve reading and writing skills, leading to higher academic achievements across various subjects.

6. Communication with Extended Family: Speaking the native language allows the child to communicate with grandparents, extended family, and community members who might not be proficient in the dominant language of the country.

This is what I was talking about earlier about Grandma and Grandpa trying to talk some sense into that grandkids.

Speaking the native language helps maintain family connections and fosters a sense of belonging within the broader community.

7. Intercultural Understanding: Being bilingual provides a unique perspective on different cultures and fosters intercultural understanding and empathy. It can reduce cultural barriers and promote tolerance and acceptance.

I find it funny that some Jewish professionals in parts of New York and South Florida find success within the Haitian community just by forcing themselves to speak just a few words in Creole. Haitian American professionals sometimes have seek their own success elsewhere, leaving the clientele that clearly belongs to them to foreigners who do not even speak Creole.

8. Preserving Language Diversity: By passing on your native language to your child, you contribute to preserving linguistic diversity. Many languages around the world are endangered, and promoting their continued use is essential for cultural heritage.

9. Job Opportunities: In an increasingly globalized world, being bilingual or multilingual can open up more job opportunities later in life. Many employers value individuals who can communicate effectively in multiple languages.

You may not see how your Haitian Creole fits into the globalized world and more job opportunities because only Haitians speak that language but I would like for you to understand the concept of a niche market. Haiti is as good a niche market as any other niches out there. So much so that some people are willing to kill presidents to maintain control of that niche market.

Overall, speaking your native language to your child has profound and long-lasting effects on their personal, social, and intellectual development. It enriches their life experiences and contributes to a more diverse and interconnected society.

If you enjoyed any part of this article, please be sure to share it with your Haitian-American friends and family because my goal is to have every single Haitian person around the world read and understand what's in this page. It is important for our survival.

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