The True Superheroes: Why Multilingual People Deserve More Respect

✨ I have a confession.

I am not bilingual… well, sort of.

According to my mother, I spoke Spanish as a child because both of my grandmothers’ primary language was Spanish. However, they both passed away before I turned seven, so I do not fully remember having conversations with them in Spanish.

What I do remember is feeling like Spanish disappeared from my daily life after they passed away. I did not reject the language because of them; I think I simply associated it with their absence. In my childlike mind, if they were no longer here, then maybe I no longer needed to speak it.

Yes, it is confusing, but that was my rationale in childhood.

Spanish Was Always Around Me 🌎

Still, Spanish was always around me.

It was at church, with family, on television, at the store, and throughout my community. Spanish has always had a place in my world.

Growing up, I was timid. I was also afraid to speak Spanish because my brothers would make fun of my pronunciation or the words that came out wrong. They were no help at all.

So, like many people, I learned to say:

“I can understand it, but I can’t speak it.”

That became my defense. My excuse. My way of protecting myself when I was around Spanish speakers.

The truth is, Spanish does not roll off my tongue as easily as English. I have to gather my thoughts in English first and then translate them into Spanish. That little pause always makes me feel behind, like I cannot keep up with the conversation the way I want to.

Finding a New Love for Spanish 💛

As an adult, I have found a new love for Spanish.

I recognize the beauty of the language. I hear how melodic it sounds when native speakers are front and center.

Some may say French is the romance language of the world, but I beg to differ. They have clearly never heard Antonio Banderas, Gael García Bernal, Diego Luna, or the ballads of Luis Miguel and Alejandro Sanz.

But I digress.

Spanish can be romantic, powerful, expressive, and deeply moving.

Multilingual People Are the True Superheroes 🦸🏽‍♀️

My real appreciation lies with my bilingual and multilingual brothers and sisters.

There is something powerful about watching someone switch from English to Spanish, or from one language to another, with ease.

It is a superpower.

The ability to move between languages, cultures, tones, and audiences is incredible. It requires mental strength, confidence, memory, and courage.

It is not something to be mocked.

It is something to be respected.

And for those who speak five, six, or more languages? To me, they are geniuses. They have developed a muscle I deeply admire and still hope to strengthen in myself.

What I Learned in Community Work 🤝

When I worked for a local nonprofit, I would watch program leaders move from English to Spanish with grace and confidence. I admired them. I also learned from them.

I was not shy about soaking up new words, phrases, and ways of communicating.

Not the slang I heard as a kid, but the language of connection, service, leadership, and community.

That experience changed the way I viewed language.

Language Is About Access ⚖️

I share this personal reflection because I truly believe multilingual people are not celebrated enough.

Communities that make room for more than one language are beautiful. They are richer, stronger, and more connected because of it.

At Faith & Justice Support Services, this matters to us because language is directly connected to access.

When people cannot understand legal information, government forms, public notices, or their basic rights, they are placed at a disadvantage. Too often, language becomes one more barrier between people and the resources they need.

Legal literacy should not belong only to those who speak perfect English.

Civic education should not be reserved only for those who feel comfortable speaking in formal settings.

Community support should never make people feel ashamed of their accent, their pauses, or the language they use at home.

We should be building bridges, not walls.

A Challenge to Rethink the “English Only” Mindset 🗣️

That is why I want to challenge the idea that “we only speak English in America.”

I ask people to reconsider what that statement really means and who it leaves out.

The United States has long been described as a melting pot, a salad bowl, or a blend of cultures, languages, and traditions. Whatever analogy you prefer, the truth is this:

Many languages have helped shape this country.

Many communities have carried their culture, faith, family stories, and survival through language.

So instead of criticizing people for speaking another language, maybe we should try learning one.

It does not have to be Spanish. It can be any language that opens your mind and expands your understanding of another culture.

Stretch your brain. Challenge your assumptions. Learn something new.

Because Language Is Power ✨

Speaking more than one language is not a weakness.

It is wisdom.

It is connection.

It is access.

It is power.

And it deserves to be celebrated.