Letter to my Native Tongue

Maburiga Garifuna,

I know you’re sick and currently dying, so I hope this reaches you in time.

I’m sorry I don’t know you as well as I should. Born with two tongues and two tongues I speak, but you’re not one of them.

My mom blames my grandma for not teaching me how to talk to you, my sister blames our parents for us not hanging out as much. And I used to blame them too, but now I blame myself.

It’s about time we got acquainted, and I know you’ve always been there and I’m the one that’s been distant.

But I’m not gonna lie to you. When I came to the states at 10 I had no desire of understanding you.

I was focused on other things, like baseball, or what was on TV, and learning the tongue that the people of this country speak.

Meanwhile, you were in the back screaming what about me and I ignored you because two tongues already was too much… I denied you a spot that you rightfully deserve, I was so dumb...

And my mom would tease me and say, “como sos Garífuna y no sabes la lengua? No saber tu lengua te debería de dar vergüenza!”

And I was totally ashamed. But how am I supposed to know a language I was never taught? How can I know you if we’ve never spoken?

I think about what you’re going through and it leaves me broken.

You're in a race with Spanish and English, and you’re in last place.

So, I’m reaching out to get to know you more so that out of sight you don’t fade. I’m not satisfied with not knowing you and I hope I’m not too late. I already started taking some lessons and making more room for you.

I just want you to know I love you and that I’m always going to be here for you. I won’t let you fade away, because for as long as I have breath, you’ll have someone to carry you on.

Best wishes today and always, or as you would say Buídu lámuga básugurani ugúyen lábu súwan dán.

~KC

Translation:

Maburiga = Hello

Buídu lámuga básugurani ugúyen lábu súwan dán = Best wishes today and always.