Language sparates and divides
I wonder how much you take for granted the wonders of language?! How, usually, you can explain yourself to another person freely and without mis-understanding. This very is something I can’t always rely on in French and often makes conversations a mine field. It’s so frustrating not being able to relax and simply talk.
Today I was having a quite serious chat with a girl who is going through many problems. The last thing I need now is mis-communication! I was making a special attempt to slow my speech down so that I could think before things blurted out of my mouth. (I’m learning!) Except it wasn’t enough. Amongst all her other problems, or maybe becuase of them, she can’t stop losing weight. I was trying to explain that she was looking thinner and lovingly encourage her to be careful. Except without relaising I told her she was looking skinny. Such a tiny mistake. At best such mistakes block a conversation for a while while I explain what I really meant and try to win back trust and confidence. At worst they cause a complete shut-down from the listener and a feeling of judgement.
I continually wonder at the intracasies of language and how much I took for granted. But also at the amount of grace and goodwill people have shown me when I put my foot in it. It really is proof of their generosity when I speak seemingly good French and then throw in a gaff like that. "Did she really mean that? Did she know what that word means? Is she just being nasty?" All totally understandable responses.
All this learning is making me slower to judge others too. Learning anything is a painful but worthwhile adventure!
