Is this cheating?

[sesa70]

I am feeling a bit overwhelmed right now.

Our caseworker has asked us to put together our profile book in Spanish. Should be easy, since I am bilingual and actually learned Spanish before English. The thing is, I never learned to read or write it, and mostly, I have only spoken Spanish with my family. I have been working on this all week and I am finding it incredibly difficult. I can get my point across fine, but there is no gracefulness to the words (does that make sense?)

So here is my question; Is it cheating to get help writing this? Maybe from a friend or from my grandmother? I am not lying when I say I am fluent in Spanish, I have no concerns about carrying on any conversations with a Emom. Its just this writing it out thing that is throwing me for a loop. On the one hand, i really want it to be my words on the page, my sentiment, my feelings. But I don't think I can do it up to my standards.

[dealic]

I don't think its cheating anymore than it would be to have someone edit it for grammar or eloquence in English. Its not as if you are writing it in English and having it translated to trick them. Its just help in making it the best product you can. That seems completely reasonable. Also, if you are working with a friend or your grandmother to improve the eloquence of your written language, it will stick with you and you will be better for it.

[Polliwog]

I don't think it's cheating at all. I would include a statement at the beginning that you are verbally bilingual but that you are using a translator for the written words.

[ancoda]

I do not think it is cheating at all.

[MeepyCat]

This isn't Spanish class. So no, I don't think it's cheating.

And I'm sure that many foster and adoptive parents - in any place, in any language - call on friends and family for the kind of help that you're asking for.

[Polliwog]

But, I think it is important to mention that you aren't as comfortable writing in Spanish as you are speaking and understanding it. It might make a difference to the expectant parents.

I use a translator to help me send e-mails to my STBAD's birth father. His English is about as good as my Spanish (although I'm working hard to learn.)

[pumpkingirl71]

I think asking for help is a great idea

[sesa70]

Thanks everyone. I spent a couple hours on the phone with my grandmother yesterday reading everything to her and asking for help making things flow better.

She suggested surprisingly little in the way of changes, and even though I didn't think things sounded as well as I wanted, she thought the letter was good. So, i am feeling a bit better.

[christophersmom]

Once you start communicating in person or via telephone they will know if you can speak it or not. I think it is good to put a statement in about writing is hard in case they keep in touch via email eventually and it takes a little longer for you to respond.

[kathteach]

I wouldn't put a disclaimer about your written ability. It is such a small thing. I live in a community with a very high percentage of people who have Spanish as their first language but struggle with writing. The high schools here have Spanish for Spanish speakers as a foreign language alternative because of this very issue--the students are fluent speakers but not fluent writers. Chances are, your emom would be in this category as well. Bilingual education died in the early 90's (at least in my state and many others I know of) so unless emom was schooled in Central/South America/Cuba/DR, etc., she would likely have the same thing going on language wise. If she likes what she reads and sees you can always talk about that issue later but to make a disclaimer upfront like that makes it sound...weird in my opinion. Hope it is okay I gave my opinion here.

[Polliwog]

My experience has been somewhat different. A lot of schools here have dual language programs (usually Spanish or Chinese) and I've interviewed (and worked with) many people who are pretty competent in written Spanish. I've lived in worked in NC and South Florida and found that to be the case. I've actually talked about adoption with many native Spanish-speakers and most would prefer to have their child raised by someone who is fully bilingual if at all possible.

[kathteach]

Wow Polliwog that is very interesting. I am from Los Angeles so this must be a regional thing. I ASSumed it was like that everywhere.

[sesa70]

Originally Posted by Polliwog

My experience has been somewhat different. A lot of schools here have dual language programs (usually Spanish or Chinese) and I've interviewed (and worked with) many people who are pretty competent in written Spanish. I've lived in worked in NC and South Florida and found that to be the case. I've actually talked about adoption with many native Spanish-speakers and most would prefer to have their child raised by someone who is fully bilingual if at all possible.

This is interesting... and somewhat encouraging. I believe it is why our councelor suggested we make a book in spanish. We are her only fully bilingual family. It is my understanding, however, that any Emom who would look at our book in Spanish would be doing so because she does not speak/read English, not because she is bilingual.

[Polliwog]

That would be pretty common here, as well. When I was teaching, I had many families who spoke limited English and read none. And depending on their background, some weren't comfortable reading in either language.

[christophersmom]

Originally Posted by kathteach

Wow Polliwog that is very interesting. I am from Los Angeles so this must be a regional thing. I ASSumed it was like that everywhere.

I am from Cali, too and many of my hispanic friends only spoke Spanish and had limited spelling/writing capabilities in Spanish, they were all first generation born in US and spoke Spanish at home but were educated in local public schools and did not learn writing in Spanish.