My family usually uses several languages. At home we are used to talk to each other in Polish, but outside we have to use English. However, when we meet with our friends, sometimes we use a kind of mixture of Polish and English.
When I was a child, my family lived in Poland, so we used the native language. I also learned foreign languages. Today we live in the States, so we use Polish among the close family members. It is very helpful not to forget about Polish customs and culture. In this way we recall the time spent in Poland.
Outside my home: at work or at school we have to use English. Sometimes it may be hard to explain something or to put our ideas in another language. What is more, it is very difficult to express our thoughts in English and understand the English-speaking society. Sometimes Americans make the remark about our "heavy" accent, which may be difficult to understand. My family doesn't worry about that fact, but I was embarrassed many times about it.
There is also our second "type" of English. We have some Polish friends who have been living here for many years. They are used to use English everyday, so they often forget Polish words. They try to speak in Polish language, but some words they miss and put the English word instead of Polish one. Most of our conversation is in English and the rest in Polish. It seems to like: "Powiedziałem mu żeby wziął ten transmission i zawiózł go na rebuilding to motovico". It is quite non-grammatical and completely incorrect, but it is understood by everyone involved in the conversation.
My family tires not to mix up the "types" of languages. Sometimes when I'm very upset, I started to speak in Polish no matter if people around understand me or not. I think that immigrants never loose their roots.
