The Language Barrier

Sometimes I wonder if God really intended the lasting confusion on that fateful day when He created languages.

Even when you think that you have mastered a language you often hear a phrase you don’t understand, even if you know all the words in the phrase. The most beautiful aspect of any language can be the most confusing part of it. How do you interpret expressions like ‘catching forty winks’, ‘once in a blue moon’ and ‘a wild goose chase’, if you don’t know the idiomatic expressions of the English language?

Then the meaning of the expression is lost. Worse so if some of the words are strange too. And then an expression like ‘a grass widow’, can have different meanings; depending on the country where it is used.

Another very confusing aspect of most languages is a word that can have more than one meaning. Sometimes the meaning of such a word cannot be easily determined by the use of it in the sentence. At times you need to grasp the entire paragraph (or several paragraphs) to interpret the meaning of one word.

This is complicated even further if you have the same word in your own language with a completely different meaning. And not to mention different words with similar, but not quite the same meanings?

Then I did not even talk about elements like sarcasm and irony where you say exactly the opposite of what you really mean; or what about personification?

I could not understand the comments of one of my most faithful readers in the beginning. Well meaning and sincere, but oh, so out of context! I noticed the same thing when this member commented on other blogs. Then I realised that this person does not understand English at all.

I use a lot of idioms and word play in my blogs. He would latch onto a part of my blog that he can understand, translate it literally and something that was said very much tongue in the cheek, appears to be a serious statement. This often invites a serious comment; a valid comment, but completely out of context with the spirit of the blog.

So my dear friend, do you recognise yourself here? Don’t go! You are not alone; you are in good company. I only used the singular form here not to generalise. I admire your determination to master the language. Every time you read English you learn something new.

I am glad for the trouble you take to read my blogs and your comments are appreciated. Always.


Ps
I would like to make use of this opportunity to wish all you happy souls out there a blessed Easter weekend! Those of you who made a little vacation of it, drive safely and come home alive.