Tim used to be my teacher and counselor. He has a cross cultural marriage. I got the chance to meet with him while I was on home visit in Rochester, NY in February 2023. He was gracious enough to let me interview him about his language journey with his wife. Tim has a number of insights on overcoming language struggles.
Here are some of the questions and points from the interview.
What kinds of challenges did you face in your marriage?
- Key points – Language cultural differences can be offensive.
- Yield to the others cultural expression.
What language(s) did you speak with each other? English or Polish
- Key points – For 6 months Danuta translated everything.
- In the 80’s the Polish people didn’t speak English.
- Tim started with no Polish, but became conversational within a year.
- Within 5 years Tim and Danuta were using English and Polish together.
How did you go through the struggle of feeling isolated?
- Key points – Prayer
- Tim took a risk and began to speak to people.
Language is linked to how we think and feel.
Using your language allows you to be seen.
Whether we like it or not our world is connected to the language we think in.
