Cavesa wrote:While I admire a lot of things about your learning, I am not sure whether it is a good idea to try to raise a bilingual child, while none of the parents speaks the language really well. It is not the first time I see such attempts. While it is awesome she can understand French from the shows, perhaps she shouldn't learn too much from her parents. But perhaps there are French schools and preschools in your area?
Although your concern comes from a good place, nothing will change here. I appreciate all suggestions made by yourself and others as well. My mind is already made up, my daughter is getting much value out of this, and I'm not stupid- I know the risks. My French accent is by no means, "Australianised", and I'm careful with grammar- what gaps remain (idioms etc) will fill out in time with planned time abroad (this will be very considerable- my family and I intend on spending a lot of time in francophone regions and aim to own property there) and continual improvement of my language (expanding vocab for ex.).
Your comments for me personally are akin to those types of comments we hate others saying to us when we tell them we're learning a language such as French. I'm not being egocentric here, just telling you how it is. I want to reiterate that I believe your comments come from a good place, and although initially disappointing, they make me all the more determined to push on, both with my French, and with my daughter's.
Edit (additional paragraph):
Nothing that comes out of my mouth hasn't been studied in grammar exercises, looked up, phonetics verified, read and heard several times before, before using the language with my daughter. The only risks she runs at this stage is insufficient exposure to a broader range of vocabulary, expressions/idioms and uncommon verb forms. Thus, if anything I believe she's getting a "head start" in French. I had French teachers in high school, and German for that matter. They weren't native. No-one complained (that I know of). Doesn't make it 'right', but it's not unheard of. And I feel the way I 'teach' is much more natural- through interaction via conversations, play, reading and media. So much French media is used in conjunction with my language. If I sound "un-native", she will learn to discern it, particularly as we spend more time in Europe. A careful head start will help her transition.
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I have looked into French schools etc. They are not practical at this stage (distance predominantly), but worth reconsidering as situations and attitudes may evolve. I'd like to add I am generally not keen on foreigners teaching children non-native languages for the exact reasons concern has been raised here, so I do get your concern, but I'd like to think I'm relatively unique. And if not, then sufficient time among natives in the near future ought to iron out a few creases, because imo that's all they will be. I am the first person who will be honest and upfront that you were right, if in ten years I am witness to my daughter's struggles with French because of disparities between my French and native French.