Icelandic mums? Pregnant & want to raise bilingual baby

[NerdyViking]

Any Icelandic mums out there?

I'm married to an englishman who, to be fair, has made an effort to learn icelandic but he's still at the stage where he understands more than he can speak. He's very supportive of baby learning icelandic and my plan is to only speak icelandic to it but worried about how well it's going to go. For example, at what point should I start insisting they reply in icelandic to me (which I do want to do at some point because I don't want them to be able to understand but not speak it). Just worried they're not going to have much of a connection to their icelandic side

This FB group is really great and I think I've seen a few Icelandic mums in it:

m.facebook.com/groups/106547209394767

Not Icelandic but half Scandinavian.

I would say you can't guarantee bilingualism - my DM tried really really hard but at the point I cottoned on she was the only one speaking to me in her language, I just flat refused to speak it in any way. And that was that.

However I do have a strong connection to that side of my culture - from numerous visits, the way my DM decorated our home, her politics (feminist!), the food we ate, Christmas, books etc etc.

As I get older the influence only seems more profound rather than less.

Good luck with the language.

Hi!
I'm half Icelandic and have a 12 week old little boy, am desperate for him to speak Icelandic so try and talk to him exclusively in Icelandic. Where are you based? How old is your LO? Xx

Do you know anyone else that lives in your area that speak Icelandic? If your husband starts learning it enough that he understands you could only speak to him in Icelandic (this will help him learn as well!) and he could respond in English (or Icelandic) in front of your child. This way your child will associate you only with Icelandic, at least for the most part, when you are out with others it is more difficult. Its not easy for kids to learn another language if there is no community support or friends etc. However, where there is a will, there is a way! I am raising my kids to be bilingual in French and English. Neither my husband or I speak French. In fact, when I made the decision, I did not even speak one word of French, okay except for perhaps "Bonjour and oui!" Anyway, I started by teaching and learning with basic flash cards to my four year old (now 5) and then found French nanny and put her in after school French clubs 3 times a week. I chose French because our area has a lot of French people and the access to French clubs, schools etc. After a few months we were able to get her into a bilingual school. I admit at times I wondered will this work? How long will it take for her to speak? Will she ever speak? Then we got an au pair two months ago, and I told my daughter the au pair does not speak English and it was amazing. From day one, my daughter spoke French and only French to her and I mean fluently! She speaks in sentences and doesn't have to pause to think. Its amazing.

You have the opportunity to teach your child. A lot of people give up because it takes a lot more effort. Below are the few things I think that would help you.

1. Speak only Icelandic to your child at all times. Even out in public. If you are in playdates, speak to the friends in English, but remain speaking Icelandic to your child.
2. When your child starts watching cartoons, only allow if they watch in Icelandic (if you can find on youtube and buy loads of dvds)
3. Play nursery rhymes etc in icelandic
4. Find icelandic sitter. I am sure you can find this, as its helpful for when you need a break and for your child to see and hear other people besides you to speak the language
5. When you can take trips to visit family or have them visit you and again, have your family only speak Icelandic to your child.
6. Make sure to set up play dates and make friends with other Icelandic parents/children

A lot of people will say oh its difficult to find a nanny that speaks XX language, but again where there is a will there is a way. We started off trying to teach our kids norwegian (Well, my husband flat out refused to speak to them, so I should say I tried!). But it was too difficult as I did not speak the language. But I found two college students from Norway and hired them to watch my kids. It was going well, but when I realised my husband wouldn't help by speaking to the kids in Norwegian, I gave up and switched to French. But, I was able to find people to speak to my kids in the language, when its not a common language. So I am sure if you look you can find. Good luck!

@annakd1234 Sorry, only just seen your post! I am based fairly close to Guildford, if you know where that is? What about you? Have you lived in Iceland then, if you speak in icelandic?

Still preggo I'm afraid, due on the 19th of november, but likewise am desperate for LO to speak icelandic and plan to speak only icelandic to him/her

Get a hold of songs, books and to shows and use these. Don't forget that you will need to teach reading and writing too (I know bilingual kids who have very poor written communication skills because they have only ever spoken the language).

It doesn't sound like it will be a problem with you - but I've met quite a few children who, although being being and bred in the U.K. Started school with very little English and it took them a while to catch up (now in teens some still have heavy accents and stumble over words). This was down to parents speaking exclusively in their home country language, having only that language book/to/DVD/nanny/friends.

I have family who are bilingual (where one parent speaking a foreign language) and that parent speaks both languages to the children.

@NerdyViking
Hi, I'm in Bournemouth, my little man is nearly 4 months! So I basically have YouTube "Icelandic nursery rhymes" on repeat in my house now!
I did live in Iceland as a child, my dad is Icelandic so speak it to him and relatives that side of the family. How about you?
I'm going up at Christmas and hoping to get some books etc.

@annakd1234 I've found Kardemommubærinn and Dýrin í Hàlsaskógi on spotify (I listened to that loads as a child!) as well as other children's playlist eg 100 íslensk barnalög 😊 I'll have to have a further look on youtube 👍🏻

As hubby is English, we generally swap having christmas in Iceland and England and always do new years in Iceland (we did one new years in the Uk and neither of us is eager to repeat that - just not as good without a billion fireworka going off everywhere 😂), however as bubs is due late nov and I'm inclined to think I'll go overdue as basically all babies in my family have been overdue, think we might struggle to fly at xmas 😝 mum and brother are coming over for xmas and new years and dad is coming at some point right after bubs arrives, so will have some icelandicness in dec 😝

I'm quite keen to get some books amd stuff next time I'm there so I can read to bubs 😊

Are you in contact with any other icelanders in the Uk? I find that there are people in London but harder to find outside that area 😝

Our eldest is trilingual, he's learnt French from our au pair alone, it's certainly possible. YouTube and lots of Icelandic books will be needed! I'd only speak Icelandic when you're alone with baby.

I'm not Icelandic, but I think your idea is good - to speak Icelandic with your DC and try to get him/her to reply. However, I think you need to create more of an Icelandic community for yourself and your DC too. As you live within reach of London surely there are other Icelandic parents around? And if so, could you join (or even start), an Icelandic parents/mums group? Socialising for you and your DC in a group where Icelandic is spoken, where it is the only language, where there are other DC understanding and speaking Icelandic will reinforce the language and hopefully encourage your DC to feel comfortable speaking it, not only with you, but with others. Regular visits to Iceland, contact with grandparents and wider family with Icelandic spoken will also give your DC that bilingual and dual-culture upbringing that you clearly want for him/her. I couldn't imagine raising a DC without being able to speak my language with them. I know of many mothers in England who give up, because it's so hard to get their DC speaking their language here, because English is so prevalent, but I really think it's worth persevering. You will have to strive hard though, I think. It's good that you're already making plans now, even before your DC is born. Good luck!

I've also found on ruv.is there are loads of podcasts which you can download, I was thinking more of car journeys etc rather than listening to the radio in English.
Are you in contact with anyone else over here?
I don't know anyone in bournemouth who speaks Icelandic, think it's the problem with it being such a small country/language!
I've got the LO an Icelandic passport which he'll hopefully have use for!

Sorry for the delay in response, had a rough couple of days (can't wait for this pregnancy to be over 😝)

Yes, ruv has podcasts and I think I saw someone mention somewhere to use sarpurinn for kids tv? Haven't checked that for myself though

No, I don't know anyone in the area, as you say, the problems of being part of a population of only 300 thousand 😝

I have come across a few facebook groups that you might find useful:

Raising bilingual/multilingual children, which I think a pp mentioned

Íslendingar í útlöndum - not specific to raising children but seems to have some resources

Tvítyngd börn - specifically for raising bilingual children who have icelandic as one of their languages

The most important thing you can do is really commit to only speaking Icelandic with your baby - wherever you are. This can feel really awkward at first and you may get some negative comments so be (mentally) prepared. I did this with my eldest and he is bilingual. When my youngest two arrived I started mixing languages - big mistake! They understand but rarely speak my language.

@NerdyViking
I've just downloaded the sarpurinn app so will give that a go over the next few days!
I randomly came across a group on Facebook called " islendinga I bournemouth "the other day! But will give those few you mentioned a look too, thanks! I'm getting into the habit of talking to him in Icelandic but it is hard when people want to talk to you in English all the time, I have my dad stating this week which is good tho!
X

Hello,

I realise this is a year old but hope someone might see! Wondering how you have got on with teaching Icelandic @annakd1234 @NerdyViking?

I am English, my boyfriend is Icelandic and we are expecting a baby in March in the UK. It's really important to us that he/she is able to speak Icelandic. I'd love to know how you are getting on, if you have any tips on what has worked for you. My partner wants to speak only Icelandic to the baby, I am wondering whether we should be an Icelandic only household (I am learning, get by and can put time in while the baby is little to improve my skills too). Or is it better to have one parent one language?

The links above are helpful I will check them out, thanks.

Hope someone is out there!

Hi @Pearcrumble 👋🏼
I'm still going with one parent one language his understanding is behind his English but his exposure to the language is so much less.
I try an limit any screen time he has to Icelandic only.
I also try and have the radio on in Icelandic at home - google Icelandic radio online.
There's a Facebook group called 'tvítyngd börn' which has a lot of Icelanders living abroad and lots of tips.
Xx

I'm akd1234 btw!

Hi @mummadave thanks so much! I could do with having Icelandic radio on in the background myself. Well done for keeping going with it!

Oh an if you're ever in Bournemouth give us a shout! 😆

Thanks @mummadave! I am moving to Bristol in a couple of months, if you're ever there give me a shout too