Lost in Translation
By Sriya Vemuri | Features | Jan. 31, 2025
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (SCPDA) — Speaking multiple languages is a common aspect of many households. Language does not just consist of talking to friends and learning new vocabulary, it is a part of culture and identity. For bilingual individuals, speaking multiple languages often means living in different spheres. They might go from speaking one way at school to switching to another when at home. While alternating languages may not be common for everyone, it can be a vital part of the identity of those who are bilingual.
At Stanton College Preparatory School, the variety of languages spoken is a part of what makes the community so diverse. Walking through the hallway, students can be heard speaking a variety of languages. For many students, knowing multiple languages is a normal aspect of their lives.
As a first generation American-Indian who has lived in the United States my whole life, I have experienced this directly. At home, my family speaks one of India’s native languages, Telugu. Our conversations carry the themes of the language I grew up appreciating. I still recall as a child, my mom singing me to sleep in our native language. The soft rhythm of her voice carried a sense of warmth. It was more than a song, but a part of me. That song represented the culture I was raised with.
My father was always a strong advocate for me knowing my native language. He often reminded me language is more than just words, but also history and identity. This is why when I was young, my parents always spoke Telugu, allowing me to learn it as I grew up. When I eventually started going to preschool, I was given a platform to meet new people and learn English. I quickly became used to switching between English at school and Telugu at home.
Knowing both languages has allowed me to form some of the most important connections in my life. As my parents first moved to the United States, we met other families like us and I was able to form bonds with some of my current best friends. The shared language spoken between the families has allowed us to celebrate traditional holidays and events even though we are not living in India, thus keeping the culture alive.
Navigating between two languages is not always easy. There are moments when I cannot find the right word, or times when people mock my American accent when speaking Telugu. It was a common occurrence for some people to praise my brother for having a better accent than me. These experiences used to make me self-conscious and question how connected I was to my culture. However, over time I realized bilingualism is not about perfection, but about connection and communication. It is about understanding the language.
Despite the challenges, some of my best memories are long distance phone calls with family in India. Listening to their familiar voices always helped me feel at home. At times, it would be hard to keep up with such a fast flow of conversation, but they always reminded me language is not about being perfect, but about connecting with others. Although I am not perfect, I know enough of the language to be able to communicate, which is what is important.
Bilingualism plays a crucial role in today’s diverse world. For me and many other students, speaking multiple languages is second nature. Piecing together these different pieces of my life can be difficult, but knowing my language allows me to live my culture every day. Whether I am speaking English at school or Telugu at home, each language allows me to connect to a different culture, both of which are both important to my identity.