Forgetting how to speak native language?

Question

i am japanese, but i was born and lived in america my whole life. and only been to japan once when i was a toddler.

i dont really have much connections with japanese people, and even if i do, i always speak in english with them (like my brothers, and friends) and the only ppl i can really speak in japanese to are my parents and sometimes the ppl at my work place.

i feel like im forgetting japanese, i dont speak it very fluently, i can't understand when ppl use "big words", i dont really understand the whole politeness and culture of it, and sometimes my parents dont even understand what im saying, and its wayy easier for me to speak in english.

do u think its okay for someone to forget their native language?

cuz i feel like theres a pressure that im expected to know it even though i am seriously more american at heart.

but at the same time i dont want to forget it cuz i want to be able to still communicate with japanese people.

any help? suggestions? anyone in the same situation?

sorry this isnt exactly much of a question, but thanks in advance

and i do pick best answers.

Answer 1

Take a week's vacation and as much as possible, immerse yourself in your heritage and language.  With your parents, your parents' Japanese friends, anybody who speaks Japanese.  Don't turn on the television, computer, or any other English language communications for this week!  Rent (or buy) some Japanese-language movies, like Akiro Kurosawa ronin/samurai ones, and if possible, get them without the English subtitles!!!  Invite your brothers and friends over for a Japanese film festival, and insist that only Japanese be spoken.  Put the couch cushions on the floor and sit around the coffee table.  All week, try to eat only traditional Japanese foods, wear tabi and kimono around the house.  Go take some kendo or judo or aikido classes in a traditional dojo, if there's one around.  Read up on the customs when you have a chance, and see if you can wrap your brain around "traditional" thinking, at least well enough to be able to explain it to someone else who does not share your background.

You're this close to your heritage.  Make the most of it!!!  Get your parents to tell you "I remember when I was kid..." stories -- in Japanese!  I'm third generation American (not Japanese), but my great-grandparents actively and on purpose stopped using their language when they immigrated -- "We're Americans, we speak American!" my dad remembered hearing when he was a child.  Try not to lose what you have!  It is a treasure!!!

Answer 2

Like the Tamil speaker, I treasure speaking my native language (French) even though I rarely have a chance to speak it here in Texas.

In order to develop / maintain a high level in any language, it is often suggested that people practise it whenever they have a chance to speak it with anyone who speaks it. If you were to speak Japanese with other people who speak it, I am sure you would get better at it. Whether if they speak it "sukoshi" (a little bit) or "genki" (well) does not matter as much as the confidence you will gain.

I for one do NOT think it's ok to forget their native language, for me, it is a big part of my identity. Different people have different experiences on this but I think maintaining one's own language is vital.

But as others have said, having cultural and lingustic activities will help to get the culture back within your heart and soul. A vacation there will hopefully get the language back in your mind.

Answer 3

maybe u can take some kind of advance japanese classes.  i tink they have dat.  or if not then keep speaking 2 everyone in japanese that knows japanese.  k.  i hoped i helped.  thanks 4 helping me.  gambare!

Answer 4

i think you better visit japan someday.

see your japanese family, go sightseeing in tokyo, kyoto, nara..etc., eat japanese food, shopping...have fun!!

i believe you're gonna change and find something important.

Answer 5

Its normal....and  i believe the condition is called banana......yellow on the outside, but white on the inside.....

One of us...one of us...one of us.......mwhahahah...daywalker...

Answer 6

hey um i really think it is really important to know ur native language, because that's where u came from. and believe me u feel alot prouder that u know ur language and culturebecause let's say someone comes up to you and asks you about japan and their culture and u wouldn't want to just stare at them amd say i don't know, would u? u want to tell them whatever u know about japan and at the end of the sentence u wanna yep japan is my country and i love my culture. believe me u will be so proud of yourself. but because u know about your culture doesn't mean u have to live by it. good luck!!!!!!

Answer 7

Just keep practicing with your parents, brothers, people at your workplace. You'll get better at Japanese in no time. You just have to keep using it so that you won't forget it.