18 Tweets That Capture The Struggle Of Translating For Immigrant Parents As A Kid

Shout out to all immigrant kids that serve as translators for their parents, especially when you’re a kid and have to try your best to translate words you don’t know yet. I always hoped I guessed right.

— Cristela Alonzo (@cristela9) December 26, 2017

I think the hardest for me was when my mom started getting sick because of all the medical terms I had to explain. And I love seeing tweets with people that say the same thing. Reason I wrote immigrants (instead of Latinos) was because it’s a universal thing for many.

— Cristela Alonzo (@cristela9) December 26, 2017

I remember having to do this. It was scary.
Now, I get phone calls from my dad asking me to spell check his Facebook post. I mess with him...often.

— Amanda Z (@acmzee) December 27, 2017

We lived in Chicago in the 70s where it wasn't so easy to find a Spanish speaker around. Nowadays it so much easier. I go out of my way to help translate now. It's like my opportunity to help people because I know how confused my parents were when me or my sister weren't around

— Angel Rodriguez (@ajrod) December 26, 2017

I remember trying to translate immigration paperwork for my grandfather at 8.Hardest was going into doc appointments with mom. Sitting in there with her while awaiting biopsy results was hard. But delivering the good news on those results became one of our biggest bonding moments

— Angel Rodriguez (@ajrod) December 26, 2017

@cristela9 I think the hardest part was translating medical terms in Spanish, I became very creative. Lol. Now I'm a social worker in Chgo.

— Vivi R (@sugabrown9) December 26, 2017

As a young kid this stressed me out b/c it was not only words but how things worked to. Especially w/ lawyers and doctors. Thanks 4 recognition!

— BravayFuerte (@AnnMarieBenitez) December 27, 2017

As a migrant farm worker from south Texas into northeast Arkansas I always translated, food, gas stations, employers, and a few times with state troopers!!

— toast!! (@stoops26) December 27, 2017

Mom: “Dile al doctor que me duele la muñeca.” Me: “She says her doll hurts.”

— JHernandez (@norcal630) December 27, 2017

5 yr old me, 6 yr old sister basically ran my parents’ business. Signed all pay checks and negotiated contracts. Imagine being told what to do by a child in between nap time.

— Tea N. (@yukitea) December 27, 2017

Translating for my own parent/teacher conference was a hoot. I had so much power in that situation 😂😂

— ARU (@AnaRebeca) December 26, 2017

I tell my own kids that I believe that the reason that I am resourceful and can trouble shoot so easily was because I had to translate at the bank, utility companies, doctor's office, etc for my parents

— ARU (@AnaRebeca) December 26, 2017

I also had to financially translate. I wrote checks & helped them balance checkbook, read 'final notice' letters, etc.

— emilia serrano (@MexEmilia) December 27, 2017

And carried the anxiety that you knew when payments fell behind and how in the red we were...

— Juan De León (@juanluis627) December 26, 2017

So much Yes to this! I remember being 6 and my grandmother was in the hospital I had to translate for my mom, There were also other families there who could not speak English and my mom told me “Mija ve y ayúdales!” Translating for strangers was not fun when youre 6 😩

— Gina (@scaredpair) December 26, 2017

Teacher: "Pepe has been threatening to 'burn this motherf*cker down'."
Me: "Pepe se está portando muy bien en la escuela."

— Pepenador (@PepenadorAVC) December 26, 2017

I remember being 8 or so and having my grandma take me to the bank to translate for her. I was useless lol.

— Amaris Castillo (@AmarisCastillo) December 26, 2017

I remember kids getting homework help from their parents & meanwhile I was translating for mine lol. I wouldn’t change it for the world. I have some great hardworking now retired parents #Immigrants

— Veronica (@vivi_riv) December 27, 2017