Multilingualism and Identity: Nurturing a strong sense of self

12/30/24 • 25 min

#16
In this episode of the Language Experiment Podcast, hosts Kaisa and Camillo explore the emotional aspects of raising multilingual children and how it shapes their identity. They share personal experiences and discuss the challenges children face while navigating multiple languages and cultures.
The episode covers the deep connection between language and cultural heritage, explaining how learning a family's language can strengthen a child's sense of pride and belonging. Kaisa and Camillo also offer practical tips for parents to help nurture a positive sense of self in their multilingual kids.
Additionally, they highlight the importance of creating a positive environment both at home and within the community, celebrate cultural traditions, and encourage open conversations. They invite listeners to share their experiences and stories about multilingualism.

Subscribe to our feed and follow us on all podcast platforms. Reach out to us with your questions and topic suggestions. Let's build a community together!
RSS: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2188357.rss
Website: www.languageexperiment.com
E-mail: [email protected]
Instagram: @language_experiment_podcast

Previous Episode

Update on the year that has passed

#15
Welcome back to The Language Experiment!
After a year-long hiatus filled with life-changing events, We return to share our incredible journey of moving from Canada to Portugal. In this new episode, we recount selling our home, navigating a whirlwind of relocation logistics, and adapting to our new life abroad. From settling in, to our children's evolving language journeys, it's been a year of growth, challenges, and cultural shifts.

Next Episode

Anna-Maria’s Story: Language, Identity and Belonging in Finland

#17

In this episode of The Language Experiment, we continue our series on Language and Identity with a heartfelt and insightful conversation with Anna Maria, an entrepreneur and job coach who grew up in Finland in a multilingual family. With a Finnish mother, an Italian father, and parents who communicated in German, Anna Maria shares her unique experience of navigating childhood in a largely monolingual Finnish society.

We discuss what it was like growing up bilingual—and even trilingual—when most of her peers spoke only Finnish, how passive exposure to German shaped her understanding of languages, and the moments of both pride and isolation that came with being different. Anna Maria also reflects on societal attitudes towards language and cultural identity in Finland during the 80s and 90s, and how her own sense of belonging was influenced by these dynamics.

This conversation offers rich insights for anyone raising multilingual children or reflecting on their own multicultural upbringing.