2 Comments
User's avatar
тна Return to thread
Chris Fox's avatar

My grandfather came to America from Germany when he was 12. He spoke with a German accent all his life but I never heard him speak a word of German. I am fluent, from high school. My teacher was later called the best German teacher in the country.

The Chinese railroad workers who came to the USA in the 1840s were from Toisan province. Ten generations later they still speak Toisan at home.

Expand full comment
Peaceful Dave's avatar

My wife's accent will never go away, but there is never a day that I don't hear Thai on the TV or her talking on the phone with friends. In her case it is constantly reenforced.

Expand full comment