Shameless to speak, English has Dialects.
Somandy Real, Fremont, CA. Many people who’s first language was not English think that they’re English isn’t “fluent”, however they are fluent, it’s just in...
Two languages, Three dialects, Three cultures
Vincent Lei, San Ramon, CA. Grew up in Macau, China. Mainly speak Cantonese there. Moved to America four years ago and started to speak English...
As Korean as you are Korean
Tesha Post, Holland, MI. I was adopted from Korea when I was six months old and grew up living in the U.S. with my White...
I’m Filipino and that means a-lot
Coby Guzon, La Palma, CA I’m born a Filipino, I speak English, Tagalog, Visaya, Cebuano, and a bit of Spanish. I live in America and...
I speak better English than you.
Nicole Huber, Colorado Springs, CO. I am Asian American. Being an Asian American, no one clutches their purse tighter when I walk by, and no...
Am I American o de alla
Juan Dominguez, Sacramento, CA. Mexican people say I am a shame to our people with gauges in my ears, the clothes I am wearing, the...
Don’t speak to me in Arabic.
Christine Abraham Santa Monica, CA My mom is ashamed to speak Arabic in public in this post-9/11 world.
I didn’t know english, but learned.
Phillip T., Elk Grove, CA. Prior to going to school I didn’t know a lick of English. My parents spoke to me either in Cantonese...
We thought you didn’t speak English.
Gabriela Denise Frank, Seattle, WA. Despite being a Detroit native who grew up in Arizona, I was mostly surrounded by white kids like me during...
Filipinos ridiculed for using proper English
Honorato Velasco, Cleveland, OH My brother and I spoke proper English and generally pronounced the words correctly. This meant that we were often ridiculed by...
Oh, do you speak English? Si.
Loreina Gonzalez, Edwardsville, KS. Imagine not being able to have a proper conversation with anyone, because they all assume you do not speak English. They...
White, female, and scared to speak
Shealyn Chestnut, Havana, AR A young, female student at Arkansas State University and I am always scared to open my mouth and voice my opinion....
You’re Indian. Do you speak Indian?
Snigdha Gurram, Sunnyvale, CA There are many different languages in India and many other places in the world. The place is not the same thing...
Black grandma, White grandpa. That’s weird!
Val’Dionna P., San Francisco, CA. Throughout the years it has been a bit difficult to understand the many emotions and stereotypes being of color and...
Spanish is not my first language!
Valeria, Cincinnati, OH. Whenever I say I am from Brazil (most of the time) people instantly start to speak in Spanish as it is my...
Let’s go. She doesn’t speak English.
Nora Woodman, Fishers, IN. What one Jehovah’s Witness said to the other when I opened the door and had yet to say hello.
You talk well for being black!
Darius Alexander, Laguna Hills, CA I hate when I meet some white people and after having a deep conversation with me, they say, “Wow you...
Being Asian, my Authenticity is Questioned
Colette, Sacramento, CA. “I love Asian girls” “I love Japanese people” “Konnichiwa” “Ni hao” “Sayonara” “Kamsammida” ‘Your a bad Japanese. You don’t know Japanese.’ “Are...
