Travelling, Language and Manners...

I'm leaving in a few days for a holiday in the UK and Europe. I can't wait! Having finished my end of financial year "necessities" a few hours ago, my mind is already moving towards the northern hemisphere, warmer weather, a very special friend...and language.

I have been having some interesting conversations with fellow Aussies - family and others - about languages. There is an increasingly strong policy move in Australia towards mandatory second language tuition in schools. We are very monolinguistic here. Few opportunities to speak, or hear, a second language, day to day, make it a fairly natural situation. But it's very frustrating when travelling.

I have been studying French informally now for a couple of years, and I love it - the mental stimulation, the ability to listen to the French news without subtitles, and "get" most of the stories; the recognition of dialogue in French movies while trying to blank out the subtitles...and the speaking with an appallingly Aussie accent.

Without language knowledge, travel looses so much of its gloss. The understanding of the subtleties of culture and manners necessitate some language skills. As does a respect for the people of the country being visited.

So, while I know I will have intense moments of frustration during my holiday, I am still looking forward to the opportunity of making a fool of myself, hopefully not too often, when speaking and basking in the cadence of words other than English.

Comments

Boyfriend, Manfriend, Partner, Companion…a new word required….

Dance "partners" (microsoft) I read a really interesting article the other day written by a Generation Y male lamenting that his girlfriend no longer referred to him as her “boyfriend”, but in an overheard conversation as her “partner”. He took exception to this expression writing: “I must have missed the memo on my sexless new categorisation – I would certainly not have approved it. A ‘partner’ is someone you twirl around at a barn dance”. (Andy Jones, Grazia magazine) I have had a business partner; there are partners in law, stockbroking and accounting firms. And so to refer to my personal life-sharer as a partner was not comfortable for me. But despite the fact that the English language is alive and evolving, there is not a word or an expression to reflect the status of one’s “life companion” whether in a gay or straight relationship if not committed to, or already married. The word “companion” actually applies in both French and Italian. Although in Engl

Bali…Bogans, Tattoos and the Ugly Australian…

Balinese temple (photo LP 2010) I have returned in the past few days from a holiday in Bali, Indonesia, with my sister. Unlike my trip in 2010 when I stayed more remotely in the north west at Pemuteran and the north east at Amed, this visit was to a five star resort in Legian. What a difference! The streets of Legian were very busy, the locals almost outnumbered by the Australian tourists. I heard very few languages other than “Aussie” spoken and it reminded me that when I travelled with my French boyfriend to the northern part of Bali, I was told by the Europeans I met that they tended to avoid the tourist hubs of Kuta, Legian and Seminyak because of the loud, rude and crude Australians…yes a generalisation about the Aussies, but unfortunately, as I was to learn, a correct one. A friendly local trying to sell us a toy (photo LP 2012) It is difficult to write this post without appearing a “snob”. But having canvassed my ideas with friends, acquaintances, col

Friendships...gold and silver...real and virtual...priceless!

My 21st birthday dinner...Oh so formal then! I was talking with a friend the other day about friendship. About how it impacts on our lives, from childhood and teenage friends, to becoming friends with boyfriends’s friends, husband’s friends and their wives, parents of other school children, social club friends, friends after divorce or death of a partner, passing friendships, acquaintances…and now virtual friends. It’s complicated. And I am finding in my “middle” years that my need for friends has reduced…not that I don’t value and cherish my friends, but my actual need has lessened. Why, I wonder? I used always be a “People who need People” (with apologies to whoever wrote the song made famous in Funny Girl ) sort of a person. I was always out and about, making sure that I saw my friends, knew all that was going on with them and theirs. Afternoon tea for the girls...with bubbles! However, as the years have moved on, my children have become independent

MANNERS AND OTHER MATTERS

Search This Blog