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Sunday, 1 March 2015

Languages Inside & Outside

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

at

54 comments:

  1. Mary1 March 2015 at 01:55

    I agree that languages should unite and not divide....a person should never be harshly judged because of his/her language.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anita Sabat1 March 2015 at 02:06

      True Mary. Sad when attempts at Mother Language are ungraciously received...

      Delete
  2. Gabriella1 March 2015 at 01:59

    I 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.

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    1. Anita Sabat1 March 2015 at 02:08

      Yes Gabriella. Local languages are ignored, while people are comfortable with foreign language as they think the other party is comfortable! What irony!

      Delete
  3. Peggy1 March 2015 at 03:18

    Yes 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.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anita Sabat1 March 2015 at 08:05

      Very true that sometimes words aren't enough, Peggy.
      Learning and speaking many languages is great, but then one is judged -which is the language one speaks best? :)

      Delete
  4. Brian Miller1 March 2015 at 03:42

    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...

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    1. Anita Sabat1 March 2015 at 08:07

      I agree with you, Brian. Creators can themselves turn into haters/dividers!
      Hope you get to learn more and fulfill your wishes.

      Delete
  5. Suzy1 March 2015 at 07:30

    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.

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    1. Anita Sabat1 March 2015 at 08:09

      That'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
  6. Sumana Roy1 March 2015 at 09:14

    "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 :)

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    1. Anita Sabat1 March 2015 at 09:52

      We 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!
      Thanks for sharing, Sumanaji :)

      Delete
  7. Jae Rose1 March 2015 at 15:47

    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

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    1. Anita Sabat1 March 2015 at 16:14

      Yes, languages are evolving continuously.
      Thanks for sharing your apt thoughts, Jae.

      Delete
  8. Gillena Cox1 March 2015 at 16:12

    language evolves, the English that we are so comfortable with today has its history of progression, dissension, division and compromise
    i really didnt know of 'International Mother Language Day' before, i'm glad i stopped by
    and thanks for stopping by my blog

    much love...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anita Sabat1 March 2015 at 16:16

      That's true, Gillena :) Evolution means change and progress.
      Thanks for stopping by & sharing your views.

      Delete
  9. Old Egg1 March 2015 at 17:01

    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!

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    1. Anita Sabat1 March 2015 at 17:44

      That's true!
      Language was used as a weapon to wield power! Nice that our languages all over the world still survive & thrive. Shows the strength!

      Delete
  10. brudberg1 March 2015 at 17:17

    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.

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    1. Anita Sabat1 March 2015 at 17:46

      I feel some people have an intention to humiliate. Still, we must stick to our language.
      You are right, Bjorn. the aim of language is to communicate. That's when we can unite :)

      Delete
  11. Rosemary Nissen-Wade1 March 2015 at 17:23

    Great last line. If only it could be so!

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    1. Anita Sabat1 March 2015 at 18:52

      One day wishes will come true :)
      Thanks for reading, Rosemary!

      Delete
  12. Vandana Sharma1 March 2015 at 18:48

    Absolutely true, people feel great while talking in other language rather than mother tongue and this needs to be changed.

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    1. Anita Sabat1 March 2015 at 19:01

      Yes indeed. Mother-Tongue or language needs focus too.
      I agree. It's unfortunate. Thanks for sharing your views.

      Delete
  13. Jyotsna Bhatia1 March 2015 at 19:50

    Last two lines - awesome !!

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  14. Donna@LivingFromHappiness1 March 2015 at 23:06

    Fabulous 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.

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    1. Anita Sabat1 March 2015 at 23:46

      Thanks for stopping by & for sharing your views.
      Yes, may people worldwide accept all, irrespective of language - whether same or different...

      Delete
  15. Susan1 March 2015 at 23:11

    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.

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    1. Anita Sabat2 March 2015 at 00:03

      Thank you for reading & for sharing your thoughts, Susan :)
      Very rightly expressed. We are intolerant and unaccepting. Barriers break when we are open...

      Delete
  16. SuyashJ1 March 2015 at 23:28

    rue , languages should unite not divide

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  17. Anonymous2 March 2015 at 00:24

    we speak different opinions while in the same language of English,
    not to mention different cultural people...

    amazing take.

    http://ihopsmithwalkingpath.blogspot.com/2015/03/haiku-and-poetry.html

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anita Sabat2 March 2015 at 00:27

      Thanks for your maiden comment & appreciation :)
      I agree with you! Even communicating in the same language is a tough balancing-act with opinions, prejudices, assumptions & cultures!

      Delete
  18. Bill Chapman2 March 2015 at 01:02

    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.

    Not many people know that Esperanto has native speakers too. See:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzDS2WyemBI

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anita Sabat4 March 2015 at 08:21

      Thanks for stopping by & sharing your views.
      May no language be forgotten & may all get their due.

      Delete
  19. alan17042 March 2015 at 01:30

    Like s pawn of chess - i like that feeling of separation in that line, it really conveys distance. Well done.

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    1. Anita Sabat4 March 2015 at 08:22

      Yes, pawns are helpless as the game-players make the moves...
      Glad you liked it, Alan.

      Delete
  20. Torie2 March 2015 at 02:08

    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 :)

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    1. Anita Sabat4 March 2015 at 08:24

      I share your concern & thoughts, Torie. Thanks for sharing & for your appreciation :)

      Delete
  21. Poppy2 March 2015 at 02:47

    The power of words, in any language, should exist to unite. Misunderstanding, I believe stems more from actions than words.

    I sense your struggle and frustration and pain, and sincerely hope that one day, such feelings won't come from words, whatever the language.

    Poppy

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anita Sabat4 March 2015 at 08:25

      That's a valid point, Poppy.
      I agree with you that may no one be discriminated on the grounds of language.
      Thanks for visiting & for your enriching maiden comment :)

      Delete
  22. Sherry Blue Sky2 March 2015 at 02:57

    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!

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    1. Anita Sabat4 March 2015 at 08:27

      Truly Sherry. Thanks for expressing this apt point & for your appreciation!
      Yes, it depends on the listeners and their readiness to accept.

      Delete
  23. totomai2 March 2015 at 04:03

    Haha! so true. Even those who learned the language of a certain country gets a similar treatment.

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  24. Susmit2 March 2015 at 10:32

    So true, we get to see this divide quite often. But, we can only hope. Amazing, lasting notes!

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    1. Anita Sabat4 March 2015 at 08:29

      Division is terrible; hoping for unification, compassion & tolerance :)
      Glad you liked, Susmit!

      Delete
  25. Gen Giggles 2 March 2015 at 19:29

    Great call for unity rather than exclusion.

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    1. Anita Sabat4 March 2015 at 08:29

      Hoping for unity.
      Thanks for stopping by & reading :)

      Delete
  26. Intelliblog4 March 2015 at 04:42

    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...

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    1. Anita Sabat4 March 2015 at 08:30

      Thanks for sharing your candid thoughts & experience, Nicholas.
      Such feelings are universal. Wish there is acceptance.

      Delete
  27. Sindhu Devi K10 March 2015 at 18:09

    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...

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anita Sabat21 February 2024 at 11:42

      Very true, Sindhu. Languages will survive & thrive when there are efforts to use & promote them.
      The 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.

      Delete

Your words mean a lot to me.