When I reached my motherland,
I experienced bliss & felt grand.
I was inside looking out trying to win-
While the others outside looked in.
I made a sincere effort to connect.
But, our paths didn't intersect...
Though I spoke in my mother-language,
They answered in the foreign-language!
Next, in our national language I spoke proudly.
Still, in the foreign language, they answered me!
They didn't see me though they saw me from outside-
My world of local/national/foreign languages; I took pride!
Treat me well; don't ignore me like a pawn of Chess!
Like you, even I'm blessed as I know many languages!
Acknowledge, show some respect, love & care!
Languages should unite, not divide or ensnare...
Note- February 21st is celebrated as International Mother Language Day.
Also linking with-
Poets United
Poetry Jam
I experienced bliss & felt grand.
I was inside looking out trying to win-
While the others outside looked in.
I made a sincere effort to connect.
But, our paths didn't intersect...
Though I spoke in my mother-language,
They answered in the foreign-language!
 |
Still, in the foreign language, they answered me!
They didn't see me though they saw me from outside-
My world of local/national/foreign languages; I took pride!
Treat me well; don't ignore me like a pawn of Chess!
Like you, even I'm blessed as I know many languages!
Acknowledge, show some respect, love & care!
Languages should unite, not divide or ensnare...
Note- February 21st is celebrated as International Mother Language Day.
Also linking with-
Poets United
Poetry Jam
I agree that languages should unite and not divide....a person should never be harshly judged because of his/her language.
ReplyDeleteTrue Mary. Sad when attempts at Mother Language are ungraciously received...
DeleteI guess that when one is away for a while and gets back, the language they use is not quite the same, and yet this should not matter as long as one is the same person inside.
ReplyDeleteYes Gabriella. Local languages are ignored, while people are comfortable with foreign language as they think the other party is comfortable! What irony!
DeleteYes Anita languages should connect but sometimes the words are not enough unfortunately. You are fortunate to speak several languages. I would love to have this skill. At the moment I can barely bumble along in anything but English.
ReplyDeleteVery true that sometimes words aren't enough, Peggy.
DeleteLearning and speaking many languages is great, but then one is judged -which is the language one speaks best? :)
languages should connect...but we can turn any characteristic...no matter how beautiful and turn it into a tool of division...i know a few languages...there are a few i wish i knew for their beautiful flow...in script and voice...
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Brian. Creators can themselves turn into haters/dividers!
DeleteHope you get to learn more and fulfill your wishes.
Languages should unite not divide on ensnare - well said. But it isn't really language but people that create that division. Liked how you combined both prompts.
ReplyDeleteThat's so right, Suzy! And to say that we ourselves create & then use the same for our own interests- including to divide or trap or humiliate...
Delete"I was inside looking out trying to win - / While the others outside looked in"...this is the fun a language has and gradually connects and it is great to be a multilingual :)
ReplyDeleteWe do feel grateful at times & there's celebration thanks to language & communication. But, sometimes, the problems begin when the others are multilingual too & judge us!
DeleteThanks for sharing, Sumanaji :)
Language moves and changes so much that if we move we often lose the latest version as it were...what a thoughtful and interesting perspective
ReplyDeleteYes, languages are evolving continuously.
DeleteThanks for sharing your apt thoughts, Jae.
language evolves, the English that we are so comfortable with today has its history of progression, dissension, division and compromise
ReplyDeletei really didnt know of 'International Mother Language Day' before, i'm glad i stopped by
and thanks for stopping by my blog
much love...
That's true, Gillena :) Evolution means change and progress.
DeleteThanks for stopping by & sharing your views.
There is of course a history why language was used as a barrier when European nations wer keen to annex new found lands into their empires. Many languages were lost but now multiculturism allows their use and some even flourish today. All is not lost!
ReplyDeleteThat's true!
DeleteLanguage was used as a weapon to wield power! Nice that our languages all over the world still survive & thrive. Shows the strength!
How insulting it must be that people respond in a language that are second to both... But at least we can always make ourselves understood which is the important point of uniting.
ReplyDeleteI feel some people have an intention to humiliate. Still, we must stick to our language.
DeleteYou are right, Bjorn. the aim of language is to communicate. That's when we can unite :)
Great last line. If only it could be so!
ReplyDeleteOne day wishes will come true :)
DeleteThanks for reading, Rosemary!
Absolutely true, people feel great while talking in other language rather than mother tongue and this needs to be changed.
ReplyDeleteYes indeed. Mother-Tongue or language needs focus too.
DeleteI agree. It's unfortunate. Thanks for sharing your views.
Last two lines - awesome !!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your appreciation, Jyotsna :)
DeleteFabulous and especially the last 2 lines....we here in the US are not multi-lingual and are arrogant with our language...great reminders here to embrace all.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by & for sharing your views.
DeleteYes, may people worldwide accept all, irrespective of language - whether same or different...
How did I miss this great poem? So many people lose all their kinship when an accent (or an overachiever) shows up. The sounds of languages, mother and national and officialmakes for a sound scheme I cherish.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading & for sharing your thoughts, Susan :)
DeleteVery rightly expressed. We are intolerant and unaccepting. Barriers break when we are open...
rue , languages should unite not divide
ReplyDeleteIndeed Suyash :)
Deletewe speak different opinions while in the same language of English,
ReplyDeletenot to mention different cultural people...
amazing take.
http://ihopsmithwalkingpath.blogspot.com/2015/03/haiku-and-poetry.html
Thanks for your maiden comment & appreciation :)
DeleteI agree with you! Even communicating in the same language is a tough balancing-act with opinions, prejudices, assumptions & cultures!
All the world’s many languages are worthy of being used. I hope that Esperanto was not forgotten on International Mother Language Day. Esperanto is a planned language which belongs to no one country or group of states. Using it brings speakers of different mother tongues together without having to resort to English or a strong regional language.
ReplyDeleteNot many people know that Esperanto has native speakers too. See:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzDS2WyemBI
Thanks for stopping by & sharing your views.
DeleteMay no language be forgotten & may all get their due.
Like s pawn of chess - i like that feeling of separation in that line, it really conveys distance. Well done.
ReplyDeleteYes, pawns are helpless as the game-players make the moves...
DeleteGlad you liked it, Alan.
I wish languages weren't such a barrier that keep us divided!! But there are ways to communicate if people only tried! Very nice writing :)
ReplyDeleteI share your concern & thoughts, Torie. Thanks for sharing & for your appreciation :)
DeleteThe power of words, in any language, should exist to unite. Misunderstanding, I believe stems more from actions than words.
ReplyDeleteI sense your struggle and frustration and pain, and sincerely hope that one day, such feelings won't come from words, whatever the language.
Poppy
That's a valid point, Poppy.
DeleteI agree with you that may no one be discriminated on the grounds of language.
Thanks for visiting & for your enriching maiden comment :)
I love that last line. Sometimes, even when we speak the same language, it's like we're speaking foreign tongues.........the difference is the attempt of the listener to really hear. Interesting poem!
ReplyDeleteTruly Sherry. Thanks for expressing this apt point & for your appreciation!
DeleteYes, it depends on the listeners and their readiness to accept.
Haha! so true. Even those who learned the language of a certain country gets a similar treatment.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. Thanks for stopping by :)
DeleteSo true, we get to see this divide quite often. But, we can only hope. Amazing, lasting notes!
ReplyDeleteDivision is terrible; hoping for unification, compassion & tolerance :)
DeleteGlad you liked, Susmit!
Great call for unity rather than exclusion.
ReplyDeleteHoping for unity.
DeleteThanks for stopping by & reading :)
Our mother language is a special place where we feel most at home. It is sad when we lose that homely place and when we have experiences like what you describe in your poem, Anita. I can identify with this very much as I had a similar experience...
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your candid thoughts & experience, Nicholas.
DeleteSuch feelings are universal. Wish there is acceptance.
Nice poem, Anita... If everyone is proud about speaking in their mother tongue, no other efforts are needed to save all the languages in this world...
ReplyDeleteVery true, Sindhu. Languages will survive & thrive when there are efforts to use & promote them.
DeleteThe aim of a language is to communicate.
It is said- "Barriers break when people talk."
The key is acceptance. May all accept their own & also others' mother tongue/language.