It’s national language day and I am happy to talk about some of my languages.

Here are some of the words I use at home, school, places, and everywhere I go. The first day I traveled to the island of Tonga these were the words they used to welcomed me

At first I thought they were just telling me to put my bags down until my mom told me what these words mean. The Tongan language was hard at first to learn because I felt like I was the only different person, and others would look at me every time I spoke in English.  I thought they hated me because they couldn’t understand any of the words that I was saying.

I knew for a fact that people would love to talk to me, but it’s hard for them to speak to me because the only language they understand is Tongan. Yet by the time my trip came to an end, I was able to teach them a little of my language.

It is very important to understand your own language before you get to learn about other cultures and their languages. I’m grateful that I stand by my rule, by my culture, and by my own language. My advice is be happy with who you are, and, always remember where you are.