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Hello sa lahat! My name is Kris (:

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Author Photo by: krishalerara
Sep 11 2020, 12:28am CST ~ 3 years, 7 mos ago. 
Hello sa lahat! My name is Kris (:
 
I am studying the Filipino language because as a Filipino American, I do feel very disconnected with my culture and learning my mother tongue is the least I can do to connect with my people more, as well as solidify my identity.
 
As a young adult, I have witnessed a lot (not all of course) of Filipinos/Filipino Americans my age assimilate into or appropriate cultures that aren't theirs because of cultural insecurity towards being filipino. It's still a narrative I have to lean into more and I do think it is a conversation that needs to be fostered more as well. I want to learn the language of my people because I've grown exhausted implicitly denying my culture and making excuses as to why I've never learned to be fluent.
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Author Photo Bituingmaykinang
Sep 11 2020, 11:28am CST ~ 3 years, 7 mos ago. 
Kudos to you! Too many Filipino Americans seem to be using the Filipino culture merely as a "prop" and there seems no genuine desire to connect to their heritage.
 
Language, IMO, is the gateway to deeper understanding to the culture.
 
I also hope more Filipino-Americans will learn their heritage language. It will give them a sense of identity and further understand and connect with Filipinos in the Philippines.
 
I agree that the inability to speak the language can cause some cultural insecurity that results to cultural appropriation like claiming to be "Latino" or "Pacific Islander"
 
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Author Photo krishalerara
Sep 11 2020, 11:38pm CST ~ 3 years, 7 mos ago. 
@Bituingmaykinang
Hi there! Thank you for responding to my post. I was a little nervous about posting my introduction, but I am really happy to read that you resonate with me and see the same disparity in our culture. You’re definitely spot on when you said that many of our people’s knowledge and connection to our culture is very surfaced and “prop”-like. Hope to see you around the forums!
 
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Author Photo BoraMac Badge: Supporter
Sep 12 2020, 12:42am CST ~ 3 years, 7 mos ago. 
@krishalerara Welcome to a great learning resource that gets upgraded frequently...
 
I'm always curious to hear about your parent(s) influence...seems to me that Filipinos are great immigrants...and desperately want success for mga anak in their new place...and almost refuse to actively teach their native language. I always hear nanay urge..."better English"...so I guess you can hear and understand a fair amount but there was little chance to engage in conversation?
 
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Author Photo krishalerara
Sep 12 2020, 1:01am CST ~ 3 years, 7 mos ago. 
@BoraMac Thank you so much!!
 
Yes, exactly. I’m sure my parents didn’t intentionally want to strip that possibility of me learning the language, and I think that when they immigrated here after my grandparents perhaps the stigma that existed during the cultural context of that time also came into play and caused them to prioritize English rather than finding a balance to teach me and younger sister both. I kind of resonate with them on that. The pressure to try to fit in and being condescended upon by other Americans was probably traumatizing to them and they probably didn’t want me to experience the same issue. But who knows.. there are so many factors that cause the watering down of our culture.
 
And right! That is the most frustrating part on my end. I do understand Tagalog when I hear it and I can almost translate what someone says to me word for word back to English, but when it comes to formulating a sentence in Tagalog, I’m truly lost. But hopefully if I dedicate myself to learning it and actively try to engage in the conversation with my parents and others more, I’ll see more growth!
 
What’s your perspective? If you have any tips on learning, my ears are definitely open! 😁
 
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Author Photo miguelojo Badge: Native Tagalog Speaker
Sep 14 2020, 8:10am CST ~ 3 years, 7 mos ago. 
Welcome, fellow Swagapino
 
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Author Photo jkos Badge: AdminBadge: SupporterBadge: Serious SupporterBadge: VIP Supporter
Sep 14 2020, 8:43am CST ~ 3 years, 7 mos ago. 
@krishalerara
 
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I always thought this was an appropriate meme for language learning... ; )
 
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