Secret language - only a billion people understand it
Sometimes, say, when we’re on the Tube, and I want to tell my wife something but I don’t want anybody around me to know what I’ve said, I tell her in Hindi. (She’s from India before you get too puzzled).
Now my Hindi is poor to the point of being atrocious (although it’s probably better than yours) but I can usually get my point across. Can’t understand a word she says in reply but I can make my own point.
The thing is, I often forget that this language I’m speaking in isn’t actually the secret language between me and my beloved that I seem to think it is. I absent-mindedly assume nobody else understands it. Even in India I still have to stop myself saying, in Hindi, something that is intended for her ears only.
The day will come when I say something unflattering about somebody who is within earshot and they’ll understand exactly what I said. I’ll let you know what happened. If they allow me to continue living (I say some nasty things at times…)
When I was a teenager, I had a friend whose mother was Puerto Rican. Up to that point I had spent eight years of my life in Spanish-speaking countries, so could understand Spanish, at least passively, in my teen years.
My friend and I were in her house just chatting, when her mother came in and was in a foul mood. She then started going on to her daughter with a charming smile and in Spanish, saying the equivalent of “what is this f***ing gringo doing in here, you know you’re not supposed to have visitors, etc. etc.” She threw in a few more slightly insulting jibes at my ethnicity.
Then my friend informed her mother that I understood Spanish. Talk about sheer mortification on the poor woman’s face.
I’ve done the same thing to Portuguese speakers too. It’s lots of fun…
:-)
Comment by James — July 11, 2005 @ 9:12 am
My Wife and I speak Turkish to each other when we don’t want to be understood. However there are so many Turks through out Europe, its not a very effective ploy.
Comment by EU Serf — July 11, 2005 @ 12:19 pm
I’ve learnt the Hindi for ‘My, that’s a handsome white man with that Indian lady. She’s a very lucky person.’
I’m hoping to hear it one day. Haven’t yet but I’m sure it’s only a matter of time…
GM
Comment by Administrator — July 11, 2005 @ 3:18 pm