I feel bragging speaking in english.?

Question

Im 21 years old and I came here in america last year (2007) from the Philippines. I'm working in a Call center for a consumer electronic company here in Houston. I want to speak English all the time so I can be an Excellent and an advanced english speaker. One way for me to accomplish it is by not thinking and talking in my mother tongue anymore right? I don't want to talk in my language anymore to the extent that I want to forget it (but i will not forget it anyway). But when I speak with my fellow filipinos here in the US and with my family friends in the Philippines, I feel that I'm bragging that I speak to them in English. One of the flaws of my culture is "Oh he is America now and he speaking English and he is bragging about it" "Oh look at that trying hard English Speaker", but if I will continue feeling this way I will never be fluent, because the words in my language keep blocking me to lose my filipino accent, which I'm doing a very good job eliminating gradually

Answer 1

you can be fluent in several languages if you want, i see no conflict.  or are you uncomfortable now speaking your mother tongue?  remember the aphorism of rizal,  "ang hindi marunong magmahal sa sariling wika, ay mas masahol at masangsang pa sa halimaw at malansang isda."

Answer 2

If I were you I would keep the Tagalog going. A lot of employers like potential employees to be able to speak another language. What you probably want more than anything else is to get rid of your accent. I do have to admit the Filipino accent is one of if not the worst accent ever. Working in a call center and whom ever calls you are probably lacking confidence of the resolutions you provide to them. Just keep practicing and make sure you correct yourself and most of all read, read, and read (English books)! I can see right through your writing that you have a heavy accent. A lot of your sentences don't make any sense. Best of luck!

Answer 3

It's great that you want to immerse yourself in learning the English language, but you don't have to completely forget your own language in order to do so. You should embrace your culture and language because no matter what, it's a part of who you are. If you want to improve your language, maybe you can make more friends with people who speak English or maybe join some groups or clubs that interest you. Good luck! :)

Answer 4

Wow I hope I can be as good in bisaya as you are in English! We in England are famous for not being good at learning another language! But please dont forget where your from. Philippino's are welcome all over the world only because you keep your philippino ways with you. Pinoys and Pinays are welcome all over the world because of the way you can still keep smiling and be friendly to other people no matter what happens to you. God bless all philippino's if we all had your attitude the world would be a better place!

Answer 5

you need to have friends outside of your filipino community. friends of different nationalities so that you can practice your english with them. why not hang out more often with your friends from work. you definitely will need to speak english with them.

that way you can still speak tagalog with your family and you won't feel like you're abandoning your mother tongue.

Answer 6

You will not forget your native language.  Even if you start to speak english like your are a native American you will still be able to speak Tagalog.  Its like riding a bicycle.  The more embarrassing thing is when you mix both like Taglish.  Thats what is tacky.  It sounds like they only throw in  a few words to impress someone.  I know some few words of Tagalog and Bisaya but I never claim that I "speak" either one.  Filipino always laugh when I try to have a conversation with it. So I just listen, not talk. I'm American.

Answer 7

There is nothing wrong with wanting to be fluent in speaking the English language but there is something really wrong with your trying to do away with what forms part of your identity.  Forget your language?  Did you forget what our national hero said?  I am  sure you can still vividly recall this one:

"Ang taong hindi marunong magmahal sa sariling wika ay higit pa ang amoy sa malansang isda."

- Gat. Jose Rizal

I won't translate it in English because I want to remind you of that, in our national language that is Filipino, no less.  Please do not think that I am being contradictory as I am talking about upholding our national language and yet posting in English.  I just do not want to get a violation that is why this reply is in English.    

Also, you need not do away with the Filipino language for you to learn the English language.  I grew up here in the Philippines and have never been to the US but I am very fluent in both oral and written English.  

As an afterthought, you may want to work on your grammar too, no offense meant as learning and mastering a language is not just all about its accent.

Answer 8

Based on the innumerable grammatical lapses in your "question", I say whatever immersion method you are using...has failed spectacularly.

Try another way...and keep your family and friends.

Answer 9

You will be ok. Don't try to make anything happen over night.

Just keep going about your business things will fall into place.

Don't worry about how anyone think of you when you are speaking english.

Don't worry about what others think because it will keep you down all the time if you let it get under your skin.

Answer 10

Then why not speak to your Filipino friends/family in Tagalog?

If you live in America, you should be speaking English in your daily life. Having a phone conversation with your family in Tagalog will not make your English bad. Actually, it will help you to retain your mother tongue. It really shouldn't get in the way of your English studies at all. Perhaps you are embarassed to speak Tagalog? This is what they may worry about. Honestly, your writing sounds a bit like you ARE embarassed of Tagalog or being Filipino.

Answer 11

If you are always worried about what people think and would thought about  you, you would never be the person you wanted to be.   Do not  pay attention  to what they might think. We live in a democratic world  and  it is your prerogative whether you  choose to speak or not to speak your native  language whenever you are with your family and friends.  Besides, if  your  friends are truly your friends, they would accept you for  whoever you are and they  would understand that you are living in a foreign country. It is not a crime to speak  the language other than your own.