On Feb. 13, the Sun Journal ran an article on “Somali Bantu seeking opportunity in Lewiston.” In the story, Abdirizak Maalin, father of a 1-year-old daughter, said that English would be his child’s first language, because he wanted his daughter to be able to think in English.

It is very important that a child be raised with one primary language. It is an essential building block for learning other languages. Abdirizak had said that his daughter could learn the other languages, “but first she must learn in English.” I would caution Abdirizak not to wait too long before introducing his daughter to the other languages he wishes her to learn. The younger the child, the easier it is for the child to learn a language. After a certain age, a child loses the ability to pick up languages as easily.

Since his daughter is already 1 year old, it is important that Abdirizak begin to bring the other languages into his daughter’s life.

Danielle Swan, Auburn