A sign that says “Evita gli assembramenti” with its translation “Avoid gatherings” | Photo by Gabriella Clare Marino on Unsplash

Bilingualism helps in bridging the gap between cultures, races, and generations. It helps convey the message to the people who need understanding.

Language is a powerful tool that connects people to convey and understand information. However, different races and cultures have varying languages that create gaps, thereby severing opportunities for proper communication. Better late than never, connecting culturally to grandkids is a goal of people belonging to the older generation. In bridging the gap, some people turn towards bilingualism.

There is a book that also helps in bridging this communication gap. Luisita is sick/ Luisita está enferma by Dora Przybylek is a children’s book that uses bilingualism to teach children about life lessons. It tells the story in both the English and Spanish languages. This book is one of the Luisita series. It follows Luisita, who suddenly felt weak at the playground during recess. The doctor diagnosed her with cancer. Luisita’s mom guided her through the experience, allowing her to see the world positively and share this vibe with her friends and classmates.

Bridging the gap between people, bilingualism connects two or more individuals. Here’s how it serves as a bridge:

Cultural Preservation and Identity

Different cultures use different languages that allow them to build a strong connection with each other. However, when it comes to connecting with other cultures, people often struggle to understand each other. Bilingualism or multilingualism helps people learn about each other’s language and culture. The power of bilingualism across generations remains strong today. Even if two generations have different languages through evolution or migration, bilingualism still helps in bridging the gap.

Bilingualism helps translate the language of two different cultures. It is important to connect with the older generations to preserve culture and identity. Bilingualism helps the younger generations learn about their heritage’s traditions, stories, values, and cultural knowledge.

Family Communication

People who belong to the older generations may not be fluent in the dominant societal language, especially when modernization is actively taking place. Bilingualism helps in bridging the gap by letting the younger generation translate the ideas to the elderly. It also avoids language barriers, helping people understand the same message. This prevents the older family members from being isolated from modern civilization.

Transmission of Values and History

The elders would often tell the stories of their experiences, historical events, and moral lessons through oral storytelling. Bilingualism allows the younger generation to accept and absorb this information and translate it for the next ones. Bridging the gap, bilingualism helps in passing down wisdom from the elders.

The learning process that bilingualism offers goes both ways. The elders can also learn the new language from the young ones. Because language can seep into the memories of individuals, it helps people understand idioms, expressions, and humor.

Responsibility and Empowerment

Did you know that bilingual children can have the opportunity to stand as bridges between two cultures? Yes, being bilingual helps an individual connect families to other parts of the globe. Bilingual children may function as interpreters or cultural mediators, especially when it comes to translating documents or helping the elders understand the trends.

Bilingualism, the catalyst for bridging the gap, enables young individuals to accept responsibility seamlessly. It instills pride and power in those who guide others to understand complex contexts. Other than that, it empowers these young individuals, allowing them to pursue their aspirations with interdependence and respect.

Continuity and Legacy

In bridging the gap caused by miscommunication and cultural differences, bilingualism becomes a legacy that one can pass down to the next generations. Modernization can also create a gap due to the introduction of new language and culture. With every passing generation, an individual can learn to be bilingual, connecting two generations and honoring ancestry.

Dora Przybylek, author of Luisita is sick/Luisita está enferma, helps in bridging the gap through her bilingual children’s book. Her book allows children to learn Spanish and English simultaneously. This style enables two cultures to learn each other’s languages without incurring the cost of translating the book to convey its moral lessons.

Get a copy of Luisita is sick/ Luisita está enferma by Dora Przybylek today!

FINAL THOUGHTS

Bilingualism helps two generations understand today’s culture. With this, people can interact more harmoniously. Bilingualism has become a superpower that allows people to become more responsible, compassionate, and humanitarian. It also keeps the strength in families as it helps them communicate properly and with ease.