Re: Oops we forgot to teach Urdu
My kids don’t speak Urdu at all. My eldest does a bit and understands it pretty well. My daughter hardly understands it. I am not bothered much. Sometimes for desis Urdu= Islamic/ religious, not at all!
Re: Oops we forgot to teach Urdu
Urdu is not an Islamic/religious studies for me, however I want to make that my son is able to communicate with relatives as well as locals when needed. Besides, if you are living in a metro, you can definitely find it handy especially with organizations/professions with large Pakistani/Indian community. Last but not least, it is an important part of me and I want to share it with him.
Ps.my mother is extremely worried that I am not teaching my son English I.e talking more in English then Urdu 
My son at 2 years only understands Urdu because that’s what we speak at home. I would like it to stay that way even after he goes to school. I don’t think my English is poor even though I talk mostly in Urdu. He will be fine too. And no, no one thinks Urdu=islam
Re: Oops we forgot to teach Urdu
Not sure how and why such a situation should arise. You must make extraeffort to make sure kids don’t learn a second language you already know. I’m not sure why anyone wouldn’t want their kids to know two languages.
Re: Oops we forgot to teach Urdu
It just makes me really sad. Why so people think or want English to be the only language in their lives. I think it just goes back to our own insecurities and attempts to be all things western. Languages are so beautiful and each had their own essence. It’s not like its the biggest task in the world to learn a language when you’re young. As these kids grow up they’re gonna meet all sorts of people. And many might be Pakistanis who speak multiple languages . I think it’s a huge disservice to our kids.
Why would I not want to pass on something like this.
Re: Oops we forgot to teach Urdu
And no its not cute when you’re like 20 and people speak to you in urdu and all you can muster up is “tora tora atey hai” or whatever.
You’re creating barriers that can prevent you from doing a lot.
Re: Oops we forgot to teach Urdu
I dont understand why desis are enthusiastic about their kids learning french and what not but run thousand miles away from teaching their kids Urdu ..
Re: Oops we forgot to teach Urdu
Lol. Not sure if all these comments are aimed at me but the point of the thread was that im worried we didnt make enough of an effort for urdu n now it might be too late that hes 3. I was hoping id get stories of other children who mastered urdu at a later age. Lecturing me abt pakistani ppl’s inferiority complex isnt gonna make me appreciate the value of urdu more, it just makes u sound bitter.
Re: Oops we forgot to teach Urdu
wait, my comments are not aimed at you…they’re for all of us (including me)
Re: Oops we forgot to teach Urdu
It is never too lated, just with naming common things or simple sentences in Urdu.
Re: Oops we forgot to teach Urdu
It’s really definitely not too late. I even know adults who have become much more proficient because they suddenly decided they wanted to master the language, have moved to Pakistan or in a different environment where they are immersed in the language, married someone who spoke Urdu more frequently, or had children that they wanted to pass the language on to. If they can do it in their 20s/30s, a child of 3 definitely can, with your dedication.
Re: Oops we forgot to teach Urdu
Thank you everyone. That def gives us hope.
We have an “Urdu only” rule in the house & I feel like it just hasn’t taught my 3 year old proper Urdu but even my Urdu is beginning to get polished again. Until unless we have people visiting that don’t understand Urdu, we always communicate in Urdu.
Outside we speak in English so we don’t offend people around us & choti also gets to learn public speaking skills in English.
Her Urdu is as good as her English MashaAllah.
Whenever I teach her a new word I always tell her the Urdu\English alternative. She might be young but she is definitely able to differentiate.
Kids are like sponges & being bilingual parents ourselve, a second language is another beautiful gift we can offer our child. Make the most of this opportunity.
Plus 20 years down the road, being bilingual will add to their resumes as well 