First Language

Many people have asked: why does Jason speak Thai as his first language, instead of English?

The answer is simple. He is Thai; his passport is Thai; his older brother speaks Thai; his mother is Thai; when I was off to work during his first two years of life, his mother was speaking Thai to him. He is very close to his maternal grandparents and cousins, and they all speak Thai. And all the research shows: learn your first language first, and then your second language will follow. So, his first language is Thai, and I'm sure that English will follow.

Still, he knows a little English. When he is frustrated, because he cannot open a package of some sugary snack that he wants to eat, he clenches his fists, raises them above his shoulders, throws them down and yells, "Shit!"

"Oh no!" I yell at Poo, "where did he learn this? He has been watching too much HBO. We must turn off the television!"

She responds calmly, "No, he has learned this from you."

I respond by clenching my fists, raising them above my shoulders, throwing them down and yelling, "Shit!"