Angela Bortel, 34
Minneapolis
Mother of Edda Bortel-Fielder, 2
Staff Attorney at Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights
Edda Bortel, 2, is toddling around the yard while her mom does yard work — a common scene. But when mom Angela Bortel calls out to get Edda’s attention, it’s in French. Since Edda’s birth Bortel has exposed her daughter to French regularly in an effort to raise her bilingually.
What languages do you speak?
I speak French and Russian. I have a passive knowledge of Spanish and Haitian Creole. I would learn more if I had time. I’m what I call a “language dork.”
How did you learn them?
I started French in elementary school in an after-school program. But I primarily learned French by attending and working at the Concordia Language Villages. Later, I learned Russian in college by participating in a nine-week immersion program at Beloit College. I also studied abroad and later lived and worked in Russia.
How did you decide to raise Edda bilingually?
I taught French and English and believe that learning a foreign language is invaluable; being able to speak a foreign language just opens doors that remain closed if you only speak one language.
What are the challenges? The advantages?
Having worked at Concordia Language Villages, it’s somewhat natural for me to create a French-language immersion environment for kids. However, at the same time, there is a concern that I am creating a barrier between us, since French is not my native language. On a day-to-day basis, there are little things, like seeming rude when you speak to your child in another language. But on the whole, it’s working for us and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Do you plan to send Edda to a bilingual school?
I hope to send her to a language immersion school, but I have concerns about the curriculum. For example, I have spoken to some people who have sent their children to the immersion schools here in Minneapolis, and despite years at the school, their children do not have strong written skills in the language. Ideally, I’d like for Edda to have not only oral skills but strong written French, as well.
Do you know a lot of families who are doing the same thing?
I know a few other families raising their kids bilingual. Most of them are either language teachers or native speakers of the non-English language.
What else do you do to encourage Edda’s language skills?
We watch French cartoons, do French activities, and I read to her every night in French. I also buy French V-tech toys off eBay Canada. Basically I just do everything you do with a kid, but I do it in French. I would like to surround her with more French speakers, so that she hears how others speak.
Is it hard for your husband Eric since he doesn’t speak French?
No. He’s really supportive of our choice to do this. While he hasn’t made an active effort to learn French, he has definitely picked up a lot of vocabulary. I think he’s more concerned about Edda and me plotting against him when she’s older!
Eric adds, “Also, looking like a complete idiot at [French] camp functions.”
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