Ode to the Languages I Know

Ever since I met you,

my life has not been the same.

You have given me new ways,

to experience life and express myself.

These are some of my fondest memories,

of our journey together so far.

Here is to you: Spanish, English, Russian, Turkish and Mandarin,

and all the wonderful gifts, and fun times, you have blessed me with.

Let’s look at some examples of how each of you have given me new ways to express how I feel, think and view the world.

Russian

Expressing surprise, in a funny and cute way, never feels the same as when I say: “Derzhite menya, ya podayu”? (“Hold me, I am falling down!) I learned this phrase from a character in a Russian cartoon (Krosh the rabbit in Smeshariki).

Hungry for a little snack? Nothing beats suggesting that to others by saying, with a big smile on your face, “Hado nemnogo podkripitsa.” (“It’s necessary to eat a little bit.”)

I’ll never forget how Russians say “Gorka Gorka” to get the newlyweds to kiss so they can make the bitterness “gorka” go away with the sweetness of their kisses. 😊

Turkish

When you want to express how much you hope something happens, and you want to involve God: “Inşallah” (“God-willing”).

Want to ask a person to hurry up and go? Nothing beats “Hadi”

Love someone? “My love” “mi amor” or “моя любовь” do not feel the same as saying “aşkım.” Aşkım sounds like you are savoring your love.

English

Some English words are very convenient if you don’t want to reveal certain things. For example, do you want to talk about a friend you went out with, but you don’t want to reveal whether that friend is male or female? The word friend will keep them guessing (just make sure to keep using it throughout. For instance, don’t say “his car” but “my friend’s car”).

One of my favorite English words is smithereens. Nothing compares to pronouncing that word. I appreciate being able to distinguish between the sky and heaven, which English allows me to do (unlike Spanish, where both are translated as “cielo”).

Mandarin

If I want to ask my son about his friends, I ask how his “panyomen” are.

Nothing makes an arrival home lighter than pointing the way in and telling my kids “Chin”

(Disclosure: I only know a few words in Mandarin, thanks to my kids learning it and practicing it around me.)

There is one thing in common among all the languages I know, and all languages in general: how magical they are at unlocking smiles and warmth in the people you meet for the first time.

Try talking to a stranger in their native language, even if you have not perfected the pronunciation. The heart doesn’t care about perfection. It only cares about the intention to foster connection. And nothing fosters connection more than seeing a stranger making an effort to talk to you in your mother tongue.

I remember when I was learning Russian and I put the stress in the wrong place on the word “Muka” I wanted to ask where we could find flour. Instead I asked where we could find torture. 🙂 The native Russian speakers that were with me got a good laugh. I laughed too once they explained what I had just said.

It is all good. Even if you make mistakes people will smile and help you.

And what about the different sounds natives of different languages make?

My favorite one I’ve noticed In Turkish people is when you let air out of your mouth while saying “Oof” It is a way of expressing worry, frustration or stress. I feel like there is something about letting air out by making that sound that helps release stress.

I love saying goodbye wishing the other person to “go smiling”: “Gule Gule” (Turkish). “Oh My God” or “Gosh” does not feel the same as saying “Allahallah!”

I recently told my best friend that her son’s voice was very sweet. I told her in Spanish. That sentence does not sound as sweet in English as it does in Spanish. I told her that her son “tiene una vocecita tan dulce.” (“he has such a sweet voice) Just saying these words makes me feel that sweetness that the sentence is talking about.

I will never forget the first time I learned the Turkish word for “egg,” “Yumurta.” I kept saying it and each time I felt as if I was saying a magic word that could unlock the secret inside an Egyptian pyramid. 🙂

I hope you embark on a fun journey learning a language you like. Follow your curiosity and let the linguistic adventure begin.