I get asked time and again if I speak Japanese. I suppose it is a natural question from those that see my full Asian face, and think “she must speak her native tongue”. But, to answer the question, I don’t speak Japanese. My parents don’t speak it. Oh, and to add to the shock and awe, my grandparents don’t speak it, either. This surprises everyone, sometimes even my Asian American acquaintances.

I am fifth generation Japanese American.