Lost in Translation

i'm lovin' it. me encanta. c’est ça que j’m. نا أحبه (ana uħibbuhu). ich liebe es.

we've all been to McDonald's and seen this advertising slogan, which i think is pure genius. they have globally appealed to the people by breaking a barrier that is rarely broken, that is, language. i don't know a shade of German, but i know what "ich liebe es" means.

using this notion as a diving board, i will jump into my pool of thought. i recently visited the home of one of my best friends who is of the Arabic background (hey Laura and Leila!). the major thing that caught my ear like a good beat (listen to this and I double dog dare you to not bob your head. it's impossible.) was the means of communication in the household.

in contrast to my household where english is spoken between family members, their native tongue is the primary language between theirs. i was very wary to say anything to not let them think that i was a few sandwiches short of a picnic. however, i was not completely lost. in a way, i could sort of read between the lines... the expressions on the faces, the tone of voice, and the gestures. these "context clues" were my aid. i may not have known precisely what was said verbatim, but i knew the overall message behind it.

there may not be a universal language, but there are universal context clues to every language (except the japanese, they just sound like they're pissed about everything: first Godzilla, then atomic bombs. you know what, i don't blame them. jk.). but seriously, the way in which a mother lovingly addresses her child is constant, no matter what country you're in or what language is being spoken.

thank you. gracias. salamat. شكرا لك (shukran). danke.

-jdv

special thanks to laura, leila, maria, and family and extended family, for without them, this post would not be possible.