PebHmong Discussion Forum

Relationship => Marriage & Family Life => Topic started by: Niello on January 17, 2018, 04:11:54 PM

Title: Is it too late to learn Hmong?
Post by: Niello on January 17, 2018, 04:11:54 PM
Is it to late for my 15 year old to learn hmong? Yes, its my fault for not teaching him while growing up.

He does understand it but refuse to speak hmong back.  >:(
Title: Re: Is it too late to learn Hmong?
Post by: ProudLao on January 17, 2018, 04:27:32 PM
It’s never too late, the issue would be, is he willing. Boys that age don’t listen well lol

He's willing to learn, but I'm just afraid he might be shy to speak in hmong in front of people.

Title: Re: Is it too late to learn Hmong?
Post by: Reporter on January 17, 2018, 04:42:54 PM
Would  you like me to send him this book? I like to donate to educational causes.

Should have taught him Hmong writing and reading long ago though. It's going to be tough making him learn it now.

(https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/26805205_327324917765750_2672360612008683544_n.jpg?oh=3984d1adefc513727ab862baed3fe4f0&oe=5AE4843C)

I know it's my fault for not teaching him how to speak hmong. I guess it's not too late to learn it.
Title: Re: Is it too late to learn Hmong?
Post by: theking on January 17, 2018, 10:23:48 PM
Is it to late for my 15 year old to learn hmong? Yes, its my fault for not teaching him while growing up.

He does understand it but refuse to speak hmong back.  >:(

Depends on the person but most likely not too late as I've seen 20 year old plus White Mormon men learn it..

yog!!
Title: Re: Is it too late to learn Hmong?
Post by: Yebleng on January 19, 2018, 07:02:10 PM
speak Hmong to them. My mom she speaks Hmong to my boys and all my nephews. When it comes to eating and grandma is serving they understand very well ;D O0

I'm going to start that today!
Title: Re: Is it too late to learn Hmong?
Post by: Believe_N_Me on January 27, 2018, 10:03:44 PM
Some kids choose not to speak it. I know people my age who don't speak Hmong well at all even though their parents only speak Hmong. This is because they lived in isolation for the most part and never engaged in full conversations with their Hmong-speaking parents. They can understand everything their parent says but they just can't say it back. Plus, their parents can respond to simple English expressions so the kids never had to speak in Hmong. This same phenomenon is happening to children raised by grandparents. I met a grandmother who said that she is learning English from her grandkids. She speaks Hmong to them and they speak English to her. She never thought it would negatively impact their Hmong!
Title: Re: Is it too late to learn Hmong?
Post by: Reporter on January 28, 2018, 12:36:39 PM
I've never seen a grand kid raised by her grandparents and then she can't speak Hmong.

Some kids choose not to speak it. I know people my age who don't speak Hmong well at all even though their parents only speak Hmong. This is because they lived in isolation for the most part and never engaged in full conversations with their Hmong-speaking parents. They can understand everything their parent says but they just can't say it back. Plus, their parents can respond to simple English expressions so the kids never had to speak in Hmong. This same phenomenon is happening to children raised by grandparents. I met a grandmother who said that she is learning English from her grandkids. She speaks Hmong to them and they speak English to her. She never thought it would negatively impact their Hmong!
Title: Re: Is it too late to learn Hmong?
Post by: Believe_N_Me on January 28, 2018, 01:26:49 PM
I've never seen a grand kid raised by her grandparents and then she can't speak Hmong.

I have. I've also met Hmong kids who don't speak Hmong even though their parents only speak it. One time I called this house because the mom asked me to look over some papers regarding their house. Her son, who is something like 23 years old, was silent on the other side because he could not respond to me in Hmong. When I called I spoke in Hmong first. I was asking for his mom. Silence. Then I figured this kid didn't know how to speak in Hmong so I spoke in English. That's when he told me that his mom wasn't home because she was at so and so's house.

I told his mom about the incident and she told me that he didn't speak Hmong fluently.

As with many of these Hmong kids, they have no problem understanding what is said to them in Hmong. They struggle with speaking it back. This rings true even for 30-40 year old Hmong who do not regularly speak the Hmong language. Do you know how many events I've been to where a person goes on stage and tells everybody, "Thov txim kuv tsis tshua paub hais lus Hmoob..." in broken Hmong?

The number is astounding! And these individuals have Hmong parents who are not fluent English speakers. They only speak in Hmong to the kids.

I think you guys aren't focusing on the problem. We aren't talking about kids who don't understand the Hmong language. Niello said that her son understood but that he just didn't speak it back.

That is a separate issue from people who don't understand the language at all.
Title: Re: Is it too late to learn Hmong?
Post by: DuMa on January 28, 2018, 02:35:42 PM
Don't worry about it.  The Hmong language is not that important or is it to you?

As long as he can understand, that means he is still install with the Hmong.  He can speak back in different language to communicate. 

If it is real like that then it is an understanding but if he just refuses then all bets are off.  I can't tolerate a faker, especially one that are too shy of their own culture.  The only pass I can give is if they are mix and with that, I call it a confusion because the poor kid is confused to which language he wants to take upon. 

Being bilingual has it's benefits because some jobs requires one to be bilingual to cater to their patients or customers.  If you lose your own language, I am expecting for English skills to be like a white man.  You talk without hesitation and with that, can take you places in a certain job market.

One job is journalism.  They are azn on tv, training to speak the language like the white man an guess who they end up marrying?  White folks like Connie Chung, the view chick, Lisa ling n Kelly hu n that one Charlie angel biatch Lisa Liu. 

Title: Re: Is it too late to learn Hmong?
Post by: Reporter on January 28, 2018, 04:56:53 PM
No, I don't. How many exactly?

I have. I've also met Hmong kids who don't speak Hmong even though their parents only speak it. One time I called this house because the mom asked me to look over some papers regarding their house. Her son, who is something like 23 years old, was silent on the other side because he could not respond to me in Hmong. When I called I spoke in Hmong first. I was asking for his mom. Silence. Then I figured this kid didn't know how to speak in Hmong so I spoke in English. That's when he told me that his mom wasn't home because she was at so and so's house.

I told his mom about the incident and she told me that he didn't speak Hmong fluently.

As with many of these Hmong kids, they have no problem understanding what is said to them in Hmong. They struggle with speaking it back. This rings true even for 30-40 year old Hmong who do not regularly speak the Hmong language. Do you know how many events I've been to where a person goes on stage and tells everybody, "Thov txim kuv tsis tshua paub hais lus Hmoob..." in broken Hmong?

The number is astounding! And these individuals have Hmong parents who are not fluent English speakers. They only speak in Hmong to the kids.

I think you guys aren't focusing on the problem. We aren't talking about kids who don't understand the Hmong language. Niello said that her son understood but that he just didn't speak it back.

That is a separate issue from people who don't understand the language at all.
Title: Re: Is it too late to learn Hmong?
Post by: Renaissance on February 07, 2018, 01:17:48 PM
Is it to late for my 15 year old to learn hmong? Yes, its my fault for not teaching him while growing up.

He does understand it but refuse to speak hmong back.  >:(

No, not too late.  You have to expose him to places, events, people where the language is used.  Don't expect him to learn livng in remote places with little Hmong population.
Title: Re: Is it too late to learn Hmong?
Post by: Believe_N_Me on February 15, 2018, 09:48:57 PM
No, I don't. How many exactly?

Every graduation party that I've attended where the graduate is under 45. I especially find it troubling that many Hmong males do not speak fluent Hmong.
Title: Re: Is it too late to learn Hmong?
Post by: txojhmoo211 on February 16, 2018, 07:15:41 AM
It's never to late.  Maybe think of the reason why first, instead of just the whole "you're Hmong, you have to know and speak Hmong" speech.  Maybe have her connect with a cousin or someone who she looks up to.
Title: Re: Is it too late to learn Hmong?
Post by: Reporter on February 16, 2018, 08:43:53 AM
So, I should feel safe next time I speak to a crowd if I use only English then.

Every graduation party that I've attended where the graduate is under 45. I especially find it troubling that many Hmong males do not speak fluent Hmong.
Title: Re: Is it too late to learn Hmong?
Post by: Mr_Mechanic on February 16, 2018, 09:46:34 AM
to simply put.  no, it's never too late.  with that said, good luck.
Title: Re: Is it too late to learn Hmong?
Post by: Niello on February 26, 2018, 02:58:18 PM
to simply put.  no, it's never too late.  with that said, good luck.

Thank you!
Title: Re: Is it too late to learn Hmong?
Post by: Niello on February 28, 2018, 04:46:51 PM
If he understands it, then he doesn't need to learn it. Right? Unless you mean the writing system?
I think that's a whole different issue. Does he lack the vocabulary to make coherent sentences? Is he ashamed of his ethnicity? Does speaking hmong feel foreign on his tongue? Fifteen year olds are full of hormones and conformity that the last thing they want/need is something to single them out. Honestly, your kid is not alone and tragically it is the future. That being said, you shouldn't feel bad about it (culturally or parental wise). Teenagers still have a lot of growing up to do. I wasn't literate in Hmong until my late 20s --and I still struggle even now.


On a different note, I was looking at UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger (http://www.unesco.org/languages-atlas/index.php) and couldn't find Hmong anywhere. Is that good or bad? Maybe I'm searching the wrong spelling.

Maybe I'm just expecting too much from him.  :idiot2:
Title: Re: Is it too late to learn Hmong?
Post by: captian on March 01, 2018, 12:31:23 PM
Is it to late for my 15 year old to learn hmong? Yes, its my fault for not teaching him while growing up.

He does understand it but refuse to speak hmong back.  >:(
you talking about your kid?
Title: Re: Is it too late to learn Hmong?
Post by: DuMa on March 01, 2018, 12:51:04 PM
Even if I date to marry Hmong, I wouldn't even want to speak Hmong. 

I rather do Chinese instead.  I rather learn a language that is considered as a universal tongue cuz quite frankly, Chinese people n China Town all over this planet wherever there is a few Chinese folks around.  Love doing business with them Chinese.  Like Ali baba, they exploded to complete with Amazon and they have enough Chinese supporters to get there.  They don't even need the north Americans market cuz them Chinese will buy anything to sling it. 

Love the saying that the Chinese will sell their own mother.  They are that good in business.  Plus they will eat anything with 4 legs except for a table or chairs.  Ha
Title: Re: Is it too late to learn Hmong?
Post by: venom on March 09, 2018, 02:49:33 PM
Is it to late for my 15 year old to learn hmong? Yes, its my fault for not teaching him while growing up.

He does understand it but refuse to speak hmong back.  >:(

No, it's never too late to learn any languages....

Kuv mam qhia koj los tau thiab mas :D ;) O0
Title: Re: Is it too late to learn Hmong?
Post by: Niello on March 12, 2018, 10:38:13 AM
No, it's never too late to learn any languages....

Kuv mam qhia koj los tau thiab mas :D ;) O0

Awm ua li ma
Title: Re: Is it too late to learn Hmong?
Post by: venom on March 12, 2018, 06:48:42 PM
Awm ua li ma

Yog li kuv sau ntawv rau koj lod?
Title: Re: Is it too late to learn Hmong?
Post by: Niello on March 12, 2018, 08:51:46 PM
Yog li kuv sau ntawv rau koj lod?

Hmm... you already did! Lol
Title: Re: Is it too late to learn Hmong?
Post by: Tajo on March 23, 2018, 07:57:55 PM
My 23 month old son knows both Hmong and Burmese. 
Title: Re: Is it too late to learn Hmong?
Post by: venom on April 02, 2018, 07:52:38 PM
Hmm... you already did! Lol

Puas yog maj? Kuv nim sau rau koj lawm ntag? Es koj puas tau teb kuv no? ;) :D
Title: Re: Is it too late to learn Hmong?
Post by: Niello on April 03, 2018, 02:36:34 PM
Puas yog maj? Kuv nim sau rau koj lawm ntag? Es koj puas tau teb kuv no? ;) :D

Yep!
Title: Re: Is it too late to learn Hmong?
Post by: venom on April 09, 2018, 04:21:37 PM
Yep!

Yog li ces, "ua kiag xwb, tuag los tseg" yom  ;) :2funny:

 :2funny:

yog! ua kiag xwb, tuag los tseg!!!  ;D
Title: Re: Is it too late to learn Hmong?
Post by: Dao1wish on September 06, 2018, 06:34:48 PM
Never too late to learn anything. 
Title: Re: Is it too late to learn Hmong?
Post by: Believe_N_Me on October 13, 2018, 01:13:18 AM
Even if your kid doesn't speak in Hmong, at least make sure he hears it spoken regularly.

I've come across kids whom have never heard their own Hmong last name pronounced in the Hmong tongue. There are even those who were given a Hmong first name but have only heard it phonetically pronounced according to the English spelling. I tell them that their name is Hmong and not an American one. They are so astounded when I say for example, Chee Nou is not a meskas name but a Hmong name pronounced Tsim Nuj.

All this Hmong pride and America is racist from typically Democrat-supporting Gen Y and Millennials YET can't speak a lick of Hmong. At the same time, failing to raise their own offsprings to hear their own last name in Hmong.  :idiot2:

 ::) ::) ::) ::)

Title: Re: Is it too late to learn Hmong?
Post by: Vandal Savage on December 06, 2018, 08:42:15 AM
Is it to late for my 15 year old to learn hmong? Yes, its my fault for not teaching him while growing up.

He does understand it but refuse to speak hmong back.  >:(

In most cases, it's a confidence issue, not the ability to speak it.  I would encourage him through reading with him books in Hmong and go from there.  It's likely his confidence will grow and he will be comfortable with speaking it regularly.
Title: Re: Is it too late to learn Hmong?
Post by: ProudLao on December 06, 2018, 09:04:11 AM
Hmong language is very complex and complicated. I’ve listened to plenty and I’ve yet to make out anything.
Title: Re: Is it too late to learn Hmong?
Post by: Dok_Champa on December 06, 2018, 11:36:18 AM
No, it's never too late to learn the language or the culture.  Better late than never.