Family Language Issues

Even though English has been an International Language for half the world for 46 years (1945-1991) and the International Language to the whole world for 32 years and counting (since 1991) I do not believe that it is the only Language that can be used – just the most widely used one.

I am a Polyglot and try to use any Language I know when I can.

With that said it is difficult at times to deal with Family Members, for various reasons, but I’m only focusing on Language right now.

 

I have Relatives in Quebec, Canada:

Some only know Canadian French (which they only call Quebec French or français québécois) and so I use French with them since I know it.

Some know both French and English but refuse to use English for political and historical reasons so I use French with them since I know it.

Some know both French and English and don’t mind using either French or English with me.

 

I have Relatives in France:

Some only know Metropolitan French and so I use French with them since I know it.

Some know both French and English and don’t mind using either French or English with me.

 

I have Polish Relatives:

Some only know Polish since learning English was a political issue during the Soviet Occupation from 1945-1989. We use Google Translate when writing or a mixed jabble of Languages and Words when speaking.

Some know Polish and Russian, but refuse to use Russian for political reasons (it was mandatory to learn and use during the Soviet Occupation 1945-1989.) We use Google Translate when writing or a mixed jabble of Languages and Words when speaking.

Some know Polish and Russian and don’t mind using Russian with me since I don’t know Polish and they don’t know English.

Some know Polish and English and use English with me since I don’t know Polish.

 

I have Spanish Relatives:

Some only know Spanish. We use Google Translate when writing or a mixed jabble of Languages and Words when speaking.

Some know Spanish and French and we use French together.

Some know Spanish and English and we use English together.

Some know Spanish, French and English and we use either French or English together.

 

I have Catalan Relatives:

Some only know Spanish since it was forbidden to use Catalan during Franco’s 39 year Dictatorship (1936-1975.) We use Google Translate when writing or a mixed jabble of Languages and Words when speaking.

Some only know Spanish and Catalan. We use Google Translate when writing or a mixed jabble of Languages and Words when speaking.

Some know Spanish, Catalan and French. We use French together.

Some know Spanish, Catalan and English. We use English together.

Some know Spanish, Catalan, English and French. We use either French or English together.

Some only know Catalan. We use Google Translate when writing or a mixed jabble of Languages and Words when speaking.

Some know Catalan and French. We use French together.

Some know Catalan and English. We use English together.

Some know Catalan, French and English, We use French or English together.

 

Sometimes I get yelled at (by my French-Canadian, Spanish and Catalan Relatives) if I use the wrong Language or call them by a different name:

Calling them a Canadian (Canadiens) instead of a Québécois (M) or Québécoise (F) – for the ones that want an independent Quebec.

Calling them a Québécois (M) or Québécoise (F) instead of a Canadian (Canadiens) – for the ones that want Quebec to stay inside Canada.

Calling them a Québécois (M) or Québécoise (F) instead of French-Canadians (Canadiens français) – for the ones that are French-Speakers, but don’t live in Quebec.

Calling them a Spaniard instead of a Catalan  - for the Catalans that want an independent Catalonia.

Calling them a Catalan instead of a Spaniard – for the Catalans that want Catalonia to stay part of Spain.

Calling them a Catalan instead of a Spaniard  - for the ones that aren’t from Catalonia.

 

I try my best to use the correct Language (when I know it) and the correct term (when I know and remember it) but sometimes I make mistakes.

The bottom line: I try my best to focus on seeing how others (Friends and Family Members) are doing and that should be the main point in all of this.