Asha & Rajiv

From: 🇮🇳 India

Ages: 34 & 36

Languages Spoken: Hindi, English

Current Location: Dubai, UAE

Child: Anaya, age 3

Story: OPOL in an Arabic-speaking environment. Asha speaks Hindi, Rajiv English. Their daughter is learning Arabic socially and is on track to be trilingual.

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Can you describe your family’s language background?
Asha was raised in Delhi speaking Hindi as her first language. Rajiv grew up in Mumbai in an English-speaking household, but he’s fluent in Hindi too. We both use English professionally in Dubai, but culturally we come from strong Hindi-speaking roots.

Which languages are you using, how and where, and how did you decide on that mix?
We use the OPOL (One Parent, One Language) method. Asha speaks only Hindi with Anaya, and Rajiv only English. Outside the home, she hears Arabic from our neighbours, school staff, and friends. It felt like a natural balance.

Why is teaching those languages important for you?
Hindi connects Anaya to our culture, festivals, and family. English is essential globally and academically. And Arabic is a practical part of life in Dubai. We want her to feel rooted and confident wherever she goes.

When did you first decide to raise your child bilingually?
We discussed it seriously when Asha was pregnant. We agreed to stick with Hindi and English at home and let Arabic come naturally from the environment.

Did you follow a specific strategy (e.g. OPOL, ML@H), or did it evolve naturally?
We followed OPOL from day one. Asha speaks only Hindi to Anaya, and Rajiv only English. It felt natural and worked well with our personalities and routines.

What were your biggest concerns at the beginning — and how did those play out over time?
We worried she’d mix up the languages or get confused, especially with Arabic floating around. But she’s been great at distinguishing who speaks what — even correcting us sometimes!

What helped you stay consistent in using both languages? What’s your routine?
Consistency comes from roles. Rajiv does storytime and bath time in English. Asha handles meals, play, and lullabies in Hindi. We’re both strict about not switching languages mid-sentence, even if she does.

Has your approach changed as your child got older?
A little. We’ve now introduced more structured vocabulary games and bilingual books. We also try to help her identify which language she’s using by name — so she becomes aware of what she’s switching between.

How do you handle resistance or when your child favours one language?
There was a phase where she answered everyone in English. Asha just kept using Hindi, even if the reply came back in English. Eventually, Anaya started switching back. No battles — just patience.

Have you experienced any moments of breakthrough or pride in their language development?
Yes — she once translated what her nursery assistant said in Arabic into English for Rajiv, then repeated it in Hindi for Asha. It was like watching a tiny UN interpreter at work.

What role has extended family, or your community played in supporting (or challenging) your goals?
Our families back in India are very supportive and thrilled she can speak Hindi. Our community in Dubai is quite international, so multilingualism is normal here. That helps a lot.

Got a funny or unexpected story from your bilingual journey? We’d love to hear it.
Anaya once said, “Mujhe ice cream chahiye, but also quickly please!” — switching halfway through like it was nothing. We still laugh about it.

Have you ever felt pressure (internal or external) about your bilingual goals?
Sometimes, especially when people say, “Why bother with Hindi? English is enough.” But for us, Hindi is not just language — it’s connection. That outweighs the noise.

Do you feel like your child connects emotionally or culturally to both languages?
Definitely. She sings bhajans in Hindi and reads Peppa Pig in English with the same joy. She gets excited to talk to her grandparents in Hindi and equally loves chatting with classmates in English or Arabic.

What’s been the most unexpected challenge?
Explaining why some things exist in one language and not in another. Concepts like “adarsh” don’t have a neat English equivalent. It leads to long conversations — which we embrace.

What has surprised you most in a positive way?
How fearless she is about switching languages. No hesitation. No embarrassment. She doesn’t see language as a boundary — just a tool.

What technology or other resources do you use to support language learning?
We use YouTube playlists for Hindi rhymes, the “Endless Alphabet” app in English, and a few Arabic cartoons she enjoys. Also, we order Hindi storybooks from India every few months.

Have schooling or childcare settings helped or hindered the process?
Schooling is in English, but it hasn’t hurt. Teachers are supportive and interested in her multilingual background. Some even ask her to share Hindi phrases with the class.

If you could do one thing differently, what would it be?
Start Arabic exposure earlier — not just passively through social contact but with a bit more structure. It’s the third language, so it needs extra help.

What advice would you give to other parents just starting out?
Be intentional. Pick a strategy and stick with it, even when it feels like it’s not working. Language isn’t just about fluency — it’s about identity and family. Keep showing up with love and consistency.

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