language barriers (2)

I am often amazed by the role that language plays in our everyday interactions. Words and phrases are how we share information and ideas. We use them to explain our wants and needs and fears and hopes. Even newborns implore sounds and gestures to communicate with their caregivers. Yet as important as language & communication seem to be, it is shocking that so few people are good communicators! If you are like me and you took four years of french (vs. spanish or german or italian) in high school, there is certainly a grace period when it comes to understanding a sentence like "te metiste en camisa de once baras," which, if translated literally from spanish to english, means "you've put on a shirt made of eleven sticks" (http://www.learn-spanish.com.mx/spanish-phrases/funny-spanish-phrases/). This, of course, makes no sense! However, what this idiomatic spanish phrase actually means that "you've bitten off more than you can chew" (http://www.learn-spanish.com.mx/spanish-phrases/funny-spanish-phrases/). While it is sometimes very difficult to understand a language that is not your own. No one is asking you to be dishonest with yourself or your correspondent. Nevertheless, it is important that all members of all languages/cultures do their very best to learn the language (even if limited) of the men, women and children that they live, work and converse with. Otherwise, we all will continue to be frustrated by situations like the one featured in the Yo Yao video clip posted in the right-hand margin.