Language
How did we miss its importance in our educational system? Were we so arrogant to think the world would only communicate in English?
I had my Italian lesson today. I have taken lessons off and on for???
I am not sure for how long. If I say a few years you get to plug in a number and if you heard me speak you might think it is a smaller number, giving me the benefit of the doubt as to my abilities.. If I say 6 years you might think I was fluent because after all -- 6 years!!! We love attaching numbers to things and then form an opinion and a judgement.
My eldest son has a podcast called Mr. Language. He speaks of his experience with language. He also speaks to the ease in which his baby son is picking up languages. On the other hand, I will struggle with it as I started learning Italian at, shall we say, an advanced age. It is a very hard thing to do and since I live in an English-speaking country it will not get any easier.
But
As much as I like to be self-critical, learning a language has been and will be one of the more positive activities I have undertaken ---- ever!
It opened up worlds not available to people who insist on speaking only English and expecting all others to do the same.
When I was with an amazing Italian woman I always felt inferior because I could not express myself fluently. However, I would not have had the opportunity had I not made the effort to learn. Although limited, my ability added a dynamic that would otherwise not been possible. As Sofia Vergara’s character, Gloria Delgado once said in a scene from Modern Family. “I am really smart in Spanish.” I know exactly how she felt as I am constantly translating and trying to say the correct thing when I am speaking Italian but, “I am really smart in English”.
Although I am not fluent I can always get us dinner and a place to sleep. More importantly I have enriched my life and those around me as I have brought a different culture, friends and language into our English-speaking family. I am appreciative of all those who have shown me the value of language, especially someone else’s language. Learning humbles you while at the same time giving you the confidence to expand your horizons and to reach out to others in a meaningful manner. It is the best way to show that you are an empathetic human who cares for others,
Grazie mille Teresiana, Linda, Delia, Rachele, e Karine per avermi mostrato il valore della tua bellissima lingua e il bel paese. Il tuo amore e la tua pazienza continuano a darmi la forza per continuare ed imparare
A presto