BC 2300, Shinar, Mesopotamia.
A nomadic group arrives in the town of Babel and decides to build there a tower that soars up to the heavens; one that is great enough to be a symbol of their solidarity. Work progressed enthusiastically at an amazing pace. They were proud of their camaraderie, and rightly so, but it gradually gave way to arrogance, making them want to rise beyond heaven. That was the defining moment when the innocently zealous project became an attempt to one-up God,the master builder. Suddenly, out of the blue, each worker started speaking in a different language and one’s instructions began to be treated by others as gibberish. Chaos sprang forth and the project got interrupted.
The legend of Babel is perhaps the most popular story explaining the origin of multiple languages. Hence,we may hypothesize that if not for Babel,we could have had one universal language and less confusion. There would neither be tricky moments during a foreign trip nor the need for frustrated attempts to mime your way out of potentially sticky scenarios!
But irrespective of whether it’s a true account or myth,it seems logical to believe that differences in history,geography,culture and outlook of a set of people who share those will lead them to coin words to express those experiences. Therefore, plurality in languages is the natural order rather than an aberration,where each has its own beauty and creative identity. Every form of expression imbibes a bit of the thinker’s spirit. One language may express in a word what still could be an abstract feeling for another. In fact,knowing a different language has been likened to having a second soul.
Hadn’t we known there exists a Turkish word “Yakamoz” for the specific reflection of moonlight in water, the dazzling sight would forever have to be described. “Rimjhim” plays out the musical pitter-patter of raindrops in those two syllables. Have you ever appreciated the golden sun-rays being filtered through the lush green leaves?It’s known in Japanese as “Komorebi”.It’s surprising to realize that someone paused long enough to absorb that spectacle and name it. Being so deeply moved by nature is an indescribable feeling. But “Duende” in Spanish totally captures that. In a lighter vein, the regret experienced after a haircut that did not go as well as expected is called “Age-Otori” in Japanese. When someone annoyingly quizzes you on your opinion while having in mind an answer that they expect, the situation is called “Dapjeongneo” in Korean. Even the act of scratching one’s head hard in order to remember something goes by the name of PanaPo’o in Hawaiian. Trust the foodie Italian bunch to come up with Abbiocco; the sleepy feeling after a large,sumptuous meal. To this date, we probably do not have a better counterpart for “Déjà vu” that we no longer consciously remember its French origins.
Hence, while the words may be foreign,the experience is universal,which reflects the essential oneness of mankind,regardless of where we live and how we speak.
Knowing those differences and the underlying shared emotions expands our perception of others and dissolves the boundaries that exist within our minds. It proves that the world is one huge jigsaw puzzle of which we are unique pieces;each different on their own but a lot more enriching as an intact whole complementing each other. We may not possess every resource for ourselves or have fleshed out every idea that counts. But we can express ourselves better when we ally with each other and exchange what we do have. Moreover,there would not be a language that has not borrowed words from another. Every one has to put in their uniqueness forward to fit in and find the ultimate solution. But humans have always exhibited the uncanny ability to highlight differences and sideline the similarities beneath. We choose to focus on the extraneous differences assuming that it has to equate with discordance,just like what happened at Babel. The teamwork crumbled when miscommunication crept in. Instead of the tower,we have been building walls when what we really need are more bridges.
Language is just a metaphor for anything in the world that is claimed by a group as their own and yet belongs to anyone who can savour its beauty and essence. Cognitive research has found that learning another language increases the connectivity between neural cells and changes the dimensions of brain. But those apart,understanding another viewpoint increases connectivity between people,changes the dimensions of our mind and not to mention, it’s a humbling experience that blurs fixed concepts like nationalities and makes us true citizens of the globe. The key to accepting difference is effective communication and a genuine interest in it. As the lyrics goes in “Colours of the Wind”,”If you walk the footsteps of a stranger,you learn the things you never knew,you never knew”.
Words are the closest we have to wizardry in our lives. They can hurt or heal, spread joy or fear, incite revolutions or stop wars. They are the vessels that contain our emotions,irrespective of their origin or structure .A foreign word is like a magical spell that summons us what we need and conjure new thoughts in a different land.It unlocks a world that has long been hidden and that awareness is the first step towards understanding that we are all similar deep down.It’s indeed a small world,after all. Let’s wrap it at that.
Words fall short to thank you for your patient reading. So,
Grazie..Obrigada..Kahmsa hamnida..Dankie..Efharisto..Merci..Arigato..Shukraan..Tak..Terima Kasih!
Good luck decoding that !!!