Bonding through language.....
Mother tongue is the language which a person speaks from the birth. The language in which you uttered your first words. The language which you first heard when you were in the warmth of your mother's womb. The language in which you first started thinking and the language which holds the essence of your homeland and your ethnicity.
I believe, a language plays a better bonding role than religion. For example, in case of two people, when their religion is same but if their languages are different, they will be different in every other way. And if their language is same but religions are different, they will still have so much to cherish among themselves. This can be understood in context of people speaking punjabi in Pakistan and India. Though divided by borders, four wars and a bitter history of partition, still in New York suburbs you will find them gelling together as if they were always one (here religion, nationalities are different but language is same).
Last night, I went out with friends to a Syrian restaurant called Damascus. And i stupidly asked " Which cuisine do you serve?", it just slipped out of my mind that Damascus is the capital of Syria and is so much in news these days due to civil unrest. "Damascus, madam, capital Syria. Syria very beautiful but now lot of war", replied the Syrian waiter in broken english. We could see the pain in his eyes. I wanted to ask more but could not as they mainly spoke Arabic.
And then it struck me that I was wasting the golden opportunity to learn another beautiful language, Arabic. What is the point of living in Dubai and not trying to learn their language (although english is widely spoken, but Dubai being the multicultural society, you have here people from all parts of Middle East). Middle East was the cradle of various ancient civilisations, birth place of three major religions, Islam, Christianity and Judaism. And they say that people in Middle East were writing arabic poetry and literature when english had not even originated. May be learning a new language will help breaking the barriers that our minds have built over ages.
This world is such a beautiful place, so many cultures, so many languages, so many books to read, so many places to visit, so many things to learn, and most importantly so many people to love. All of this and such a short life!!!
So keep loving, keep learning and keep growing......
This is my last blog for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ learning english blog. It was a beautiful experience writing my all four blogs. You challenge yourself and each time try to write better than the last time to keep readers interested in your blogs. And the best part of the whole process is the comments from the readers from all over the world and it feels so great that you have touched the heart of someone siting far away from you.
Comment number 1.
At 26th Oct 2012, Tatiana wrote:Hi Navneet,
It was interesting to read all your blogs. As for learning some new things I think it’s never too late to begin. The brilliant example of it is our friend from Morocco Elmansour. As for me I always admired those people who can speak many languages and regretted that I can’t. But recently I’ve decided that I can try. I’ve chosen German because I like German music and literature. I hope it will inspire me to be a diligent student. Today I had my first class and I’m happy that I had courage to go there. Certainly the study won’t be easy for me because I’m not young. But I’m sure I’ll like the process.
All the best,
Tatiana
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Comment number 2.
At 29th Oct 2012, Jayashani wrote:Hi Navneet,
I read all of your blogs. You have selected nice topics and your articles were really interesting. When thinking about your last blog, I also agree with you. Language is the link between people and knowing many languages helps us to communicate with many people. I also like to know many languages. If I have a chance I would like to learn German and French.
Best of luck.
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Comment number 3.
At 29th Oct 2012, aliozturk wrote:What a lovely post!
I have been living in Japan for more than 3 yeer and I think I understand what you mean. When I step into a Japaneese book store I feel World is realy big place and I need one more life to read, feel and comprehense Japaneese literature thoroughly.
I am Muslim and I share my home with a Japenese who is a Buddhist and we are close friends. Ofcourse I owe this frindship to language
Best wishes
Ali OZTURK from Turkey
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Comment number 4.
At 30th Oct 2012, Navneet_Kaur wrote:Hii Tatiana
I too have fancied of knowing so many languages.....
All the very best for your german language course...
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Comment number 5.
At 30th Oct 2012, Navneet_Kaur wrote:Thanks jayashani...
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Comment number 6.
At 30th Oct 2012, Navneet_Kaur wrote:Hiii ali
Yes u are right .... I too feel the same that i need another life to read and learn different languages....
How are you finding Japan....
This december even i am planning to visit Turkey.... Its really a beautiful country.....
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Comment number 7.
At 30th Oct 2012, Elmansour wrote:Hello Navneet,
Your blogs werereally captivating. I liked the topics and also the way you presented them. I think it is your excellent English that helped you to write excellent blogs. Congratulations.
Concerning the impact of the language on human relations, you are absolutely right when you said that the language helps to tie strong bonds between people. Actually, the use of the same language helps us to break ice and makes us share a lot of things easily with people we meet. Some people, like myself, who are very talkative may find it very difficult not to speak and probably may suffer for not knowing the language of their partner. Body language is there to help, but it's not enough to quench the thirst of talking. So learning more languages seems to be the key to this dilemma.
Thanks for your instructiong and entertaining blogs.
All the best,
Elmansour, from Morocco
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Comment number 8.
At 31st Oct 2012, esra wrote:Hello Navneet;
I started to learn new english and so I found you :) I read all of your blogs.( beatiful and interesting) I living in TURKEY. working now belek. Do you know Belek?Tourism capital. so it is very important to learn the language. Here, different people, different langguages, different religios have. I could be wrong writing. I'am sorry for that. I'd be happy if you help. language is too big for me because I'am working call center .(the hotel) nice to read literature. Thank youu
All the best
Esra / Turkey
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Comment number 9.
At 1st Nov 2012, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½HAIDER wrote:Hi Navneet.
your blogs are intesting to read. you have highlighted the role of language. i agree diffinitely language palys important role in relationship among peples.i live in dubai and love to learn enlish. you have a very good writing skills.
haider
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Comment number 10.
At 1st Nov 2012, aliozturk wrote:In my opinion Japan is robotics. Much more rule than feelings and real life and atmosphere is colorless but if you watch Japanese cartoons of course they are colorful.
One of my Japanese friends told me Turkey is the country of dream. In response I asked him what is about Japan? He told me it is the country of money.
Cheers
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Comment number 11.
At 2nd Nov 2012, Jackeline wrote:Hi, Navneet!
Congratulations for your article! I agree with you when you say that we can describe the world from languages. I'm brazilian and, at the moment, I'm living in Japan and everyday I've had chance to find a new and wonderful culture.
Hugs ;)
Jackie
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Comment number 12.
At 4th Nov 2012, Varisha wrote:Hi Navneet,
Though I didn't read the rest of your bolgs as I was away for a month but reading this one blog explains how intelligently you write. I agree with you on the fact that language is a bond between individuals. It's very hard to express your feelings to a person who does not understand your language. To share my experience, I was away to a pilgrimage in Mecca and it wasn't easy to communicate with people there especially when we needed to take a taxi. for that reason we always tried to find someone speaking Urdu but this wasn't always possible.
Apart from this, I always get excited when I hear someone speaking my mother tongue. I feel like going to them to ask which part of my country they come from but sometimes it is not possible. After experiencing the language problems in Saudi I am determined to learn Arabic sometimes in the future hopefully.
Best of luck with the future
Varisha
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Comment number 13.
At 20th Nov 2012, Feroj khan wrote:Different languages and one religion, one religion and different languages. See religion crosses the boundary of the language. Islam is for peace and humanity.
I have read your blogs and they are superb. It's been great reading your blogs. How little things you expressed interesting. Keep blogging.
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Comment number 14.
At 22nd Nov 2012, Jeremiah wrote:Hi Navneet,
It's was interesting to read your blogs.I traveled a lot through your blogs by just sitting in-front of my laptop.
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Comment number 15.
At 8th Dec 2012, Blend wrote:Hi Navneet,
This was the last blog of yours,and this was the first time reading your blogs.
Anyway,your blog has been really well formulated I really enjoyed reading it,furthermore I at a glance noticed your well-thought out language in this case English language that you used to write about this.
You're absolutely right,that languages help us enormously to communicate and eventually break the linguistic barrier that might be present in any case.
I,myself have been learning English for almost 3 years intensively,but to be upfront English language was included in my primary and secondary school,but I didn't pay special attention to it because I thought it won't turn out to be an exceptionally important language in my near future,but it did turn out indeed!
Briefly,I wish you all the best of luck and keep up with English and I am sure that you.that you seem to be such a dedicated person will just keep on doing constant progress.
Best wishes,
Blend(from Kosovo).
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Comment number 16.
At 11th Dec 2012, Basharat wrote:Hi Navneed,
I just read your blog, immediately got registered here and started writing a comment.
It is nice and interestig piece of writing about languages and cultures. I liked the example of Punjabi speaking people across India Pakistan borders.
It is a blessing that around the world there are people who can speak English language otherwise it would be so difficult to communicate.
But we should also learn other local and international languages if possible. It needs a lot of hard work and dedication to learn a new language but it gives a totally different feeling when you communicate to others in their language.
Regards
Basharat (Pakistan)
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Comment number 17.
At 9th Jan 2013, zain wrote:i have read four of your blogs, but this one is the best one, your work is worthy of admiration, i felt the real messages that;s within this topic is that only way to come closer to any civilization ,culture & people is the language. the language that has shorten the distances it's the language of love & peace. we must always be our forefront to get the quiet & piece in our society....
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Comment number 18.
At 22nd Jan 2013, avci wrote:Hİ Navneet!
i congurate the blog you refer to substantial subject. it is important thing language which bonding between people in the course of events language is means which people closeing each other i want to learn different language because for understanding people..... TAHANK YO FOR WRİTTİNG enes
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Comment number 19.
At 26th Jan 2013, hoc tieng anh wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 20.
At 30th Jan 2013, anhphu44 wrote:Hi Navneet,
Your writting is beatiful. And it is so true that we're living in the wonderful world.
Thank you.
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Comment number 21.
At 16th Feb 2013, Deedee wrote:Hai... nice writing... i love to read it.... interesting... at the same time i can get new points..new words..
Generally, every country have different culture, different religion and of course different language... :) but for me, this is specialty for each country to appreciate it coz with this difference, other people from other country can recognize our country... right??? ehehe
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Comment number 22.
At 27th Feb 2013, Kirill Rovec wrote:Nice post there Navneet. I used to work for a UK based company for quite a few years. Just like you I was writing blogs and communicating with a lot of people, colegues and friends. But guess what, English is not my motherlanguage. Don't get me wrong, I love English, I find it very "instrumental" in terms of use.
Anyway, about 1 year ago I moved back to my homeland (Russia), as I recieved a job offer from [Unsuitable/Broken URL removed by Moderator] and things got so much different in terms of langunage usability and lightness. My point here is that it doesn't matter how much languanges you know - you will always feel more comfartable speaking and using your motherlanugage.
It's very sad that we won't see any more posts from you Navneet.
Regars, Kirill
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