Interviewing Biruk

Biruk is from Ethiopia where he spoke Amharic. He grew up speaking Amharic, but he speaks more English with everyone. He can’t read Amharic, but he speaks it well with his grandparents and family. He learned how to talk from mostly his aunts, uncles, and cousins. When he was five he came to America and learned English because it was around him. He would see English on TV and in school. Although his aunts and uncles didn’t have accents, it was still hard for him to learn how to say the same thing in English and Amharic. For example, he would say "Take one, me?" instead of "Can I take one?"

Now that Biruk is older he talks in a more serious and formal tone at school. When he is around his friends his sentences are short, not detailed, and straightforward. Around his family he talks to his elders with respect and not much joking and sometimes in Amharic. However, around his sisters and brothers he talks to them like they are his friends. Although Biruk was not born here he has adopted English as his own language.