I was raised fully bilingual - Afrikaans and English. For the most part my home life and friendships were conducted in English and schooling was in Afrikaans. Obviously, both had the odd exception. Interestingly, everything does not happen in both languages in my head. For example, though I am fully capable of doing math in English, I usually count in Afrikaans. The real dilemma for me is that I consider situations language appropriate.
To me, saying I love you doesn't have to mean much of anything. "I love you" is a bubblegum phrase thrown around by darn near everyone for every random situation. This doesn't mean I don't mean it when I say it, it's just more believable if I've said it to you in Afrikaans on occasion...
Then there is the Afrikaans boy band love ballad. They're funny, I don't know why, they just are. The idea of four Afrikaans boytjies getting together to lament their broken hearts is hilarious. Even one at a time, they're rather funny. I don't know, I can't seem to take their "pain" seriously while it's expressed in Afrikaans. I guess I'm a bad person. My favourite Eden aficionado friend seems to think so...
And don't get me started on sexual situations... In time, you can get used to getting hot and bothered around the Afrikaans language, but it's not a very sensual or provocative language, not in that sense, anyway. Mostly it reminds me of bad Boksburg jokes... And vaguely creeps me out...
So, your pain isn't valid if you sing it in Afrikaans and "Kom, Bokkie, kom" makes me want to take a shower, not do dirty things to you. Maar "Ek is lief vir jou" beteken aansienlik meer as "Luv ya".
The little inconsistencies of life
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