Episode 4415

Elmo, Telly and Baby Bear are getting ready to play soccer and are waiting for Rosita who hurries in a little late. She explains that she was with her abuela (grandmother) who just moved to Sesame Street from Mexico. They ask if they can meet her abuela, but Rosita says maybe another time. As they begin to play, Rosita’s abuela calls for her. Rosita asks what she needs in English, but her abuela asks her to speak in Spanish. Rosita pulls her to the side away from her friends to talk in private. She tells her friends that she needs to help her abuela and will be right back. Rosita translates for her abuela as they purchase groceries and pick up her father’s clothing from the Laundromat. Rosita quickly says good-bye to her abuela and rushes back to play soccer. Again her friends ask if they could meet her, and just when Rosita is about to give another excuse, her abuela walks up to them. With her friends speaking English and abuela speaking Spanish, Rosita becomes overwhelmed and runs away. Maria sees Rosita hiding from her abuela and asks if everything is okay. Rosita explains that she needs to tell her abuela in Spanish what everyone says in English, but is afraid of what her friends might think of her when she speaks only in Spanish, something they haven’t heard before. Maria understands and says that she, too, felt embarrassed when she had to translate for her parents. But now she feels proud to speak Spanish because it is part of who she is. Rosita agrees and thanks Maria. She hurries off to see her abuela and apologizes to her in Spanish in front of everyone, who all wish they could speak Spanish like that, too. Rosita introduces everyone to her abuela and they all play a game of soccer.

Segments

 * Benjamin Bratt talks about the word "translate."
 * Cookie's Crumby Pictures: Les Mousserables