I had a friend in Denmark and she spoke several languages. I replied jesting: “Wow! Cool! I speak mainly Scouse and English!” I bemused her and made her laugh with a simple question. “Do you think in your native tongue or the multi-languages that you have learned?” She exclaimed smiling: “What a strange question? I have not ever contemplated it. I suppose the climate of the language I am in for some period of time”. I must concede when I look at things and instinctively without much thought myself. I get curious about the most abstract aspects. Some think me dizzy for some of the questions I have posed in life, but still it is one of mere curiosity to try and understand different levels of culture and linguistics form an integral part of this. So, as inane as my question may have been. Language itself changes by historical, cultural and linguistic context and in turn can alter context and even if such so slightly. On equal premise, my question, as inane as it may have been was one to understand and realise the deep intrinsics as well to how very easily we are influenced by language itself and to our very thought processed within, both conscious and subconscious and that to hold unseen and more profound consequence on shaping and influencing us. Therefore, even though to some people I may seem dizzy and even with the utmost abstract or even simplistic of questions there are greater reasons to my curiosities to trying to understand. Most people when they do not understand something and even by mere curiosity will not ask a question for fear of being ridiculed. I will. I irritated the hell out of my Mum at three years old when I started speaking: “Mama … Werh du I come fwom?” She smiled and paused to answer me while cleaning the kitchen: “You came from my belly and your Dad and I!” I scowled and not satisfied with the answer: “Bu, werh di I come fwom bifur dat?” I repeated my question. She laughed frowning and told me to go and play with the others. Old habits die hard and I am still the same. If I am not certain of something then I will ask.
Posted on: Sun, 03 Aug 2014 12:14:14 +0000
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