First Second Language Experience

So, here we go. My first memory of learning a second language is obscured by time. However, the essence of it has been preserved as a family story. This story was told to me many times growing up and shows my love of language learning even at an early age.

Living in rural Colorado in the early seventies, we were the only Anglo family in an all Hispanic neighborhood. Many of our neighbors and friends were farm workers in the potato and sugar beet industry. You'll recall the efforts of Cesar Chavez who organized farm labor unions and labor strikes in the 50's, 60's and 70's. Chavez' campaigns in California and Texas were not lost in Colorado. I don't recall the details, but the workers in Colorado -- our friends and neighbors -- organized a labor strike.

My parents took me to the rallies, and thus it was that at age two, I learned my first words in a second language: "Viva la huelga!" ("Long live the strike!")