The Beauty (and Burden) of Being Bilingual
Synopsis
In her essay, "The Beauty of Being Bilingual," Peruvian-American author Natalia Sylvester reflects on the bittersweet experience of navigating life in two languages. Drawing from everyday moments as an interpreter, she reveals how Spanish serves as both a meaningful link to family roots and a vital bridge across social divides.
Takeaways
Language as Connection and Identity: Holding onto a native language amid pressure to fit in is a true gift—one that keeps people connected to where they come from and ready to help others.
Navigating the "In-Between": Growing up with two languages often comes with a mix of feelings. Imperfect fluency can draw commentary from all sides, turning everyday speech into a balancing act.
Interpretation as Advocacy: Translating is so much more than swapping words. It is about making sure people feel seen, respected, and supported.
The Lugar’s Reflections
Sylvester’s essay hit a chord with us at the Lugar.
Part of our founding team has lived through that exact "in-between" space, and as former teachers, we’ve watched so many of our students navigate that same balance in our classrooms. Her story is a great reminder of why we do what we do.
At our core, we want to bring warmth and happiness to learning a second language. But we also know that having the gift of bilingualism goes far beyond words on a page—it builds real empathy in our communities. Language brings people together, helps us appreciate where we all come from, and makes sure everyone gets a chance to be heard.
What About You?
Did any part of Sylvester's story ring true for you or your family? Whether you grew up speaking two languages, are raising bilingual children, or are currently on your own language-learning journey, we’d love to hear your story. Feel encouraged to share your story with us!
Citation
Sylvester, N. (2019, September 20). The beauty of being bilingual. The New York Times, A27. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/20/opinion/bilingual-children.html
