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What does it actually mean to “grow up with the language”?
In this episode of WeCultivate: The Pod, Michelle speaks with her longtime friend Mai about heritage language, Japanese American identity, multilingual communication, and the complicated reality of growing up between cultures.
Together, they unpack:
- why fluency does not automatically create belonging
- the difference between family language and professional language
- what it means to feel “too much” and “not enough” at the same time
- how race, class, education, and culture shape communication
- the hidden social side of multilingualism
- language learning beyond apps and grammar drills
Mai shares stories from her upbringing in California and Colorado, her work in international affairs and environmental research, and her experiences navigating language across family, academia, and professional life.
Tune in now!