Language Barrier (?)
a poetic reflection on this phrase
My line of work involves a lot of time communicating across languages
through an app, telephone service, or my new friend José.
I have found that this challenge, generally referred to as the "language barrier,"
More often feels like a bridge -
Something that must indeed be crossed, with effort,
but which is as much an opportunity as it is an obstacle
...as long as we remember to reject the lie that the fastest way to do something
(for example: hold a conversation, move a couch, communicate a feeling)
Is the best way.
***
For when I manage a few broken words in Swahili, and see this elderly woman's face light up-
This storied soul warmed by another character's feeble attempt to speak in the tongue of her youth and people-
When I grunt, "Pesado!" and laugh along with the man who is helping me move this impossibly heavy sofa, as he proclaims with a smidge of pride,
" ¡Este hombre está aprendiendo español muy rápido!" -
When the father of the Russian refugee family (whose language I have not yet even dared to attempt!) smiles at me across the bus-
And when I smile back-
I see the true nature of our "language barrier."
About the Creator
Gabriel Huizenga
Twas for love of words that I first joined this site:
Poetry, essays, and dear short stories too;
For to live one's best is to read, and to write!
So find me in words here, and I'll find you 💙
Thanks for stopping by! :)
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Comments (17)
Wonderful are those who try the unknown language to communicate! Congratulations on that TS!!
Such a powerful, beautiful piece! What a blessing for you and others that you have the opportunity and willingness to connect with people in this way.
I loved this as I have lived in a family situation where English, French, Arabic Spanish and Swedish are spoken. Now my daughter speaks German! I know a little bit of Russian and it's always fun to surprise someone with their language spoken back to them. Congratulations on Top Story!
the language barrier is always a challenge
Congratulations 🥳
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Congratulations on your story.
Congratulations for top story 🎉🎉You're making significant strides with your hard work and commitment. Keep up the momentum
Congrats on Top Story!!
This hits home as someone who's part of a multilingual and multicultural family. Beautiful work, and well deserving of top story. Congrats!
Well written, language barrier is complex like a bridge and actually never really straight forward. Congrats on top story!!!
This is really well done, and isn't it great when even the smallest gesture can make a person smile. Congrats on the TS.
I absolutely love this. The image of the language barrier as a bridge is perfect. It is just something that can be crossed with a little bit of effort. Congrats on the Top Story!
People nowadays are really stressed so this is all for you https://vocal.media/poets/wings-of-resilience-a-journey-through-adversity
This was so deep and wonderful! It made me smile. Loved your poem!
Beautiful piece!
This is another powerful piece, Gabriel! Working with multilingual students has been an incredible part of my job for the last few years so this definitely struck a chord. Communication is a beautiful thing and always possible when we’re willing to try!