Label: 'In English'
I started this blogging adventure with the idea of writing in Dutch. It seemed the most logical thing to do. The daily world turning around me speaks Dutch, words just come easier in Dutch and the grey mass of my brain rather tends to use Dutch as the main means of communication between the different entities. As time passed by however, first needs and signs of having to tell the world things in a different language started showing up. English at first, but also some Italian and even some Spanish. French? Maybe. Probably not.
So Dutch was how it started. If I would write in Italian, I'd put 'In Italiano' underneath my post. For English it was just the same; label: 'In English'. By way of exception. Because it was occasionally. Just now and then. But as time went, more and more English came into that daily world. It became the rule, while Dutch became the exception. If you want to reach people, English just seems to be the better option. The better tool. The better microphone. And at the end, Dutch listeners probably won't bother too much, since English for them should be just as understandable. But then, I'm worrying about something without even knowing if there even are Dutch-speaking listeners. Somebody there?
So I'll drop the label: 'In English'. Just like I'll drop all the other language labels. Why? Because at the end it's all and always the same: words forming sentences, telling stories, living life. And life is not to be restricted to some Dutch, English, Italian or Spanish outfit. It does not matter. Just as it does not always have to be the easier way.
So Dutch was how it started. If I would write in Italian, I'd put 'In Italiano' underneath my post. For English it was just the same; label: 'In English'. By way of exception. Because it was occasionally. Just now and then. But as time went, more and more English came into that daily world. It became the rule, while Dutch became the exception. If you want to reach people, English just seems to be the better option. The better tool. The better microphone. And at the end, Dutch listeners probably won't bother too much, since English for them should be just as understandable. But then, I'm worrying about something without even knowing if there even are Dutch-speaking listeners. Somebody there?
So I'll drop the label: 'In English'. Just like I'll drop all the other language labels. Why? Because at the end it's all and always the same: words forming sentences, telling stories, living life. And life is not to be restricted to some Dutch, English, Italian or Spanish outfit. It does not matter. Just as it does not always have to be the easier way.
4 comments:
It does not always have to be the easier way. Those who take short cuts, arrive late...
If you did not write in English, I would not have a chance to comment on it :)
Cross-boarder exchange of thoughts...
Drop the labels!
i'm with dagmara. very grateful for your linguistic felxibilities. sometimes i try to read the dutch just to see see how much my german can help me (not much, apparntly). anyway, we are the world, as they sang. write in any language, because yes, the human condition is the same.
i'm a dutch listener.. but i like the english, i feel your english, sometimes more so than the flemish words :)
i like the idea that i got to listening to you through an english-speaker, i like the idea that i can share your words with others who arent within our little restricted dutch-speaking corners of the world.
but i like the dutch too. i find that whatever needs to come out, picks its own language. the language in which it feels true to you, the language in which your heart speaks to you on that particular issue arising.
In front of all of this female wisdom, I'll rest my case! I'll drop the label and I'll write in any language, going further than the little restricted dutch-speaking corners of the world...
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