Our language sure is something. I read an article yesterday that English is taking over as the common language of the world. Lucky for us Americans. If it were Mandarin, we’d all have some serious learning to do. But here we are with English.
This English language is already the official language of the air. This means that all pilots have to identify themselves and speak in English while flying. It doesn’t matter what their nationality, or place of origin.
Some people who were born here in the United States, still seem incapable of speaking the native language. Even people in high, high, highest positions in our country. They make word salad every time they open their mouths.
Yet, if ours becomes the Universal Tongue, many people will have to step on to our language carefully.
We can be confusing. Terribly.
Just consider all the words that sound the same, but are spelled differently, yet they have entirely separate meanings. This could make someone batty.
Knew. New. Gnu.
Sees. Seas. Seize.
Flew. Flu. Flue.
And on. You never know if you are right, write, rite, wright.
Our words can be funny, or interesting, curious, intelligent, harsh, or kind. Sometimes they contradict themselves, which are the most interesting of all.
The same word means the opposite of itself.
Take dust.
You can dust a table with flour, meaning you are applying the dust. Or, you can dust an entire room while you are cleaning, meaning you are removing the dust.
There are many just like this.
Left. Of course, it is the direction, opposite or right. BUT, it can also mean that you are staying, or you are going. Twelve men left the library. There are seven men left in the room.
Seed. Putting in or taking away. If the lawn is looking a little bare, you can seed it. Putting seed into the lawn. Then you are hungry so you pick a watermelon and seed it. Removing the seed from the fruit.
Off. She flipped off the light switch. Deactivated. Then, she walked out the door, and the alarm went off. Activated.
What about Out? This can mean it is either invisible or visible. The lights went out in the house. Invisible. Good thing the bright moon was out. Visible.
One word to the next can be a horse of a different color. So much, that it is making me hoarse as I say the words.
I know I’ve packed a lot in here, but I will make a pact not to do it again.
Sometimes my mind soars, but then my fingers get sore from all this typing.
Here it is getting near the end, and I must weigh all my options. I guess it is best if I’ll be on my way.
Yes, the English language is slowly becoming Universal.
Yet, the origin of the language doesn’t matter all that much. What matters is that we are speaking the truth.
Don’t leave home without it.
===========
“Human speech is like a cracked kettle on which we tap crude rhythms for bears to dance to, while we long to make music that will melt the stars.”
― Gustave Flaubert, Madame Bovary
============
“I know all those words, but that sentence makes no sense to me.”
― Matt Groening
===========
“Anyone can speak Troll. All you have to do is point and grunt.”
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
============