Every so often, usually right after a visit to PostSecret, I find myself reading Overheard in New York. For a short while after I discovered it, I checked the site daily. The site is full of snippets or conversations strangers overhear in New York City, and then share with the world. Some are funny, others highlight a lack of education or stupidity on behalf of the speaker.
When back in the UK last month, Hebrew was my secret. I spoke on the phone while on a train or bus, and no one around me would know what I was saying. There was nothing top secret about the conversations, perhaps lunch plans or movie times, but no one could listen in. When I wasn’t around my Israeli friends, I felt something lacking. My identity was hidden, and I couldn’t creep back into my shell for protection.
The thing about languages, is you need someone to share them with. If I picked a third language for study or communication, I would need someone else to familiar with that tongue. It’s not like learning to program and sharing the language with the computer.
I’m not really sure what my point is. To be honest, I think I just wanted to be vocal and share my thoughts… done.
I’ll study Russian with you!! Though here, that wouldn’t help much, would it…
Hmm… could work, but there’s no app for it.
the best is American Sign Language… in college me and my girlfriends would go out to clubs and sign to each other. typically guys used to make comments about us and figured we were Deaf. Too bad for them we understood and called them out on comments.
Ah, but then some random person who you were making fun of suddenly responds in that other language… not fun. :)
Ah… Ezzie, are you following me around with a camera?!