His Girlfriend Set Out to Learn His Native Language, But Little Did She Know He Didn’t Want Her to Learn.

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In a tale of language and love, the 21-year-old Original Poster (OP) finds himself tangled in a problem when his girlfriend, eager to connect with his cultural roots, attempts to learn his native Indian language. Despite OP’s insistence that her efforts, although appreciated, are unnecessary due to his and his family’s fluency in English, she persists, leading to unexpected strife within their relationship. The story reaches a climax as their relationship takes a pause, with a resolution hanging in the balance.

Roots in Two Worlds

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OP is a 21-year-old whose parents are Indian immigrants. He was brought up bilingual, but due to lack of practice, he lost his ability to read or write in his native language, though he can still speak it fluently. Despite this, he is more comfortable with English, as he’s been surrounded by it for most of his life.

Multicultural Relationship

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OP is in a relationship with a white girlfriend, who is half Dutch from her mother’s side and is also bilingual. His mom informs him that his girlfriend has expressed interest in learning his native language. His girlfriend confirms this, saying she wants to surprise OP by learning it.

Surprised, but Skeptical

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Upon hearing her intentions, OP expresses mixed feelings. He appreciates her effort but feels it’s unnecessary because of the difficulty of his native language and his preference for English. He explains that his whole family speaks English and wouldn’t mind her speaking in English, either.

An Alternative Proposal

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OP suggests a compromise where he could teach her a few phrases from his native language for conversation with his family. He believes this would be a reasonable middle ground instead of her undertaking the massive task of learning a new language. However, this compromise doesn’t sit well with his girlfriend.

Upset Reactions

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She becomes upset with his response, arguing that he should be more grateful for her efforts. OP is taken aback by her reaction, as he feels he never demanded such a gesture from her. He compares the situation to receiving a gift you never asked for and being scolded for not being overly excited about it.

Attempted Reconciliation

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OP reiterates his gratitude for her effort but stands firm on his stance, suggesting that she learn the language out of personal interest, not just for his sake. This doesn’t soothe her hurt feelings, and she accuses him of being ungrateful, sparking a heated argument. He wonders whether his position makes him the bad guy.

An Unexpected Twist

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Out of nowhere, OP’s girlfriend admits she has been taking secret lessons in his native language and has made considerable progress. She reveals that she’s been practicing for months to surprise him. She feels hurt that her effort has been dismissed as unnecessary and unappreciated.

Hidden Intentions Revealed

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OP’s girlfriend explains that her decision to learn his native language is not just for him but also a way to connect with her own multicultural background. She feels learning another language, especially one so close to her loved one, would broaden her own cultural understanding. OP is surprised by this revelation but maintains his initial perspective.

Parents’ Involvement

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OP’s parents learn about the situation and decide to intervene. While they appreciate the girlfriend’s initiative, they agree with OP, emphasizing the importance of mutual understanding over language proficiency. However, their intervention further complicates the issue.

An Unsettling Conversation

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OP’s girlfriend and his parents have a conversation about the language situation, resulting in heightened tensions. She insists on continuing her learning journey, despite their reservations. Her determination, while admirable, raises concerns about the harmony in their relationship.

Lingual Determination

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Despite the continuing disagreement, OP’s girlfriend shows unwavering determination to learn his native language. She insists on using the newly discovered phrases and words in their conversations. Though a bit annoyed, OP tries to be supportive of her enthusiasm.

Disrupted Relations

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The ongoing conflict over the language issue starts affecting their relationship. They find it challenging to maintain the same level of communication and intimacy. The discord is palpable, and the couple struggles to find common ground.

A Break in Relationship

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Eventually, the ongoing tension leads to a break in their relationship. Both decide they need time apart to clear their heads and reassess their priorities. They hope the break will provide a new perspective on their relationship.

Was The Boyfriend’s Behavior Appropriate?

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OP posts his story online for feedback. The readers in the forum had a lot of mixed views on the matter. Here are some of their responses:

Forum Responds

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One reader said, “I think you failed to see that her effort was likely for her to feel closer to you and your family. I think you should listen to her reasons.”

Another Commenter Thinks

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Another responder wrote, “You get to have your feelings and viewpoints on your parents’ native language. But I think you missed the intention of what your girlfriend was trying to do. She sees a future with you, dude.”

A Third View on The Story

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A different person stated, “I work with kids from immigrant families and get the dubious honor of watching heritage language loss in action. It makes me sad and frustrated.”

A Final Perspective on the Matter

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Another reader commented, “She probably wants to do something to feel like she’s connecting with your family. You are arguing logically that it would be unnecessary work for her.”