Do we speak the same language?
language
/ˈlaŋɡwɪdʒ/
noun
the principal method of human communication, consisting of words used in a structured and conventional way and conveyed by speech, writing, or gesture.
a system of communication used by a particular country or community.
When our family moved back to India in 1996 — I don’t know to whether to qualify this as many years ago or few years ago, hence the actual year, we had two choices either move to Jamnagar as a family or my dad would be in Jamnagar and rest of the family in Pune.
The latter choice was made — why because at that point 10th standard marks mattered a lot — it was a measure of one’s intellect and how you will turn out to be as a human being. The second language — the compulsory language was assumed to play a significant role in the final percentage. Having just invested all my language learning abilities in becoming fluent in Spanish, I was in no mood to learn another language “Gujarati” and so the decision was made to live in Pune where the second language option was a safer bet — “Marathi”.
There was a time I was fluent in Spanish, German and French — sequentially of course and never at the same time. Languages aren’t like driving or swimming — if you learn them once you have learnt them forever. Languages grow on you, inside you as you keep practicing the same.
As fate would have it, today am keen to learn Shrimad Rajchandra’s teachings which are all in Gujarati! Today I wonder if learning this language then was a wiser option? But then would I have stumbled on His teachings had I shifted to Jamnagar then… No answers! All I know is tomorrow I start learning a language that I have managed to come to understand but never learnt it formally.
I am married to a Kutchi boy, live in Kannada speaking state, work in English and attend a Gujarati satsang — you have no idea the joy I experience when I sit in a rickshaw in Pune and say “daavi kade”!
Language is an interesting concept. It connects people. People who have connected have their own language of understanding. My cousin gang and I roll off dialogues from Andaaz Apna Apna, Choti si Baat, Golmaal (the old one!), Chupke Chupke in every life situation. My Kannada speaking house help and I have a secret understanding without speaking the same language.
A great speaker isn’t the one with perfect diction, elaborate vocabulary and polished accent. A great speaker is the one who knows how to connect with the other’s heart in simple words with a pure heart. In other words, he speaks the language of the audience!
Language is an invisible binding force. You may speak the same language and yet never communicate. You may never know each other’s language and yet communicate with the vibe of your soul.
As a toddler, I am told, I used to spend hours starring at flowers. Till date I observe for patterns. For me, patterns are an invisible language. It’s a divine connection.
Here’s to divinity!
You know me via my writings — tell me, do you think we speak the same language?
