Raising children in a multilingual and multicultural environment comes with both unique challenges and meaningful rewards. In various regions of Spain—particularly Catalonia—families with South Asian roots are finding creative ways to preserve their linguistic heritage while ensuring their children thrive in the local linguistic landscape.
In many such households, children grow up speaking Catalan at school, Castellano with friends and in public settings, and Hindi (or other Indian languages) at home. This trilingual dynamic is a testament to adaptability, but it also requires intentional effort from parents and caregivers to maintain balance and cultural continuity.
The adjustment often begins as children enter formal education, where Catalan is commonly the primary language of instruction. At first, it’s not unusual for young learners to mix vocabulary or feel uncertain in social settings, especially when trying to navigate conversations outside of the classroom. Over time, however, many become adept at switching between languages fluidly, a skill that supports both cognitive development and social integration.
Navigating the coexistence of Catalan and Castellano reflects broader linguistic and political realities in Spain. For immigrant families, ensuring fluency in both is essential—not only for educational success, but also for meaningful community participation. At the same time, maintaining an Indian language at home remains a cornerstone of cultural identity. Many families encourage daily conversations in Hindi (or their regional tongue), along with storytelling, music, and media in the heritage language.
Video calls with relatives in India, regular family visits, and participation in traditional festivals further reinforce these connections. Celebrating Indian holidays like Diwali or Holi offers children a sense of belonging and pride, while also inviting Spanish peers to engage with their culture.
Still, the process isn’t without emotional complexities. Children sometimes feel self-conscious about using their home language in public or may hesitate to speak it around peers unfamiliar with the culture. These moments often require gentle reassurance and cultural affirmation, reminding young learners that multilingualism is a strength, not a burden.
Many families also integrate cultural learning into everyday life—through bilingual storybooks, language apps, community events, or by joining local groups focused on South Asian culture. These small, consistent efforts help ensure that children grow up with a clear sense of identity rooted in both their heritage and their new home.
Over time, these children become confident in their ability to shift between Catalan, Castellano, and Hindi—often using all three in a single day. More than just language, they carry with them a hybrid identity enriched by the values and traditions of multiple worlds. In doing so, they represent a new generation of global citizens growing up in Spain: multilingual, multicultural, and deeply connected to who they are.