[Myrddin]

Your children are lucky to have the opportunity to learn 3 languages at an optimal time in their lives. I grew up in San Diego (mostly). The proximity of Tijuana and Mexicali brings a lot of movement each direction. Many of the hispanics in the area identify more closely with Mexico than the US. The neighborhood where I grew up has changed from English speaking to mostly Spanish speaking. Their children speak English and Spanish, but maintain a Mexican cultural outlook. I attended Southwestern College as a student after high school. The MeChA organization had a total grip on campus politics and finances. Six years later, I returned as an instructor at Southwestern College. There was little left of student organizations other than MeChA. I'm sure you've seen the large gatherings of Mexicans waving the flag of Mexico on the streets of major US cities. These people aren't interested in assimilating.

When my great grandfather arrived in the US from Wales in 1863, he sought out the Welsh community in Pennsylvania. The young lady he was courting was from Aberystwyth. He joined the Union army to gain her father's approval. Boot camp was held on the train enroute to the front lines. His unit was captured within days and he spent most of the war as a POW. At the end of the war, he returned to Pennsylvania and married my great grandmother. They insisted that their children speak only English. All 19 of them. It's a shame because the number of Welsh speakers in the world is small. All of the children were very successful. Most graduated from college and pursued engineering or farming.

Kudos to you for becoming fluent in English and bringing up your kids with the gift of multiple languages.

[ga medic]

San Diego is a beautiful place. Would love to spend some time there, once I retire. (It will be a while) I realize that all Spanish speaking communities are not the same, and I know that So Cal has had more than its share of problems with the Mexican immigrants there. The Mexican community in GA is much different, and similar to the Puerto Rican community where I grew up. The old community is still there, but the kids are completely American.

Sadly, I didn’t realize that Welsh was even a language. I have known several people of Welsh decent, but no one ever told me that they had a unique language. Learn something new everyday.