A foreign desire

I've long had an obssession with people born outside the US. Perhaps it started when I was a teen with my Welshman who had a voice I still treasure today, but it developed from there. All through college, my dearest friends were from India and the UAE. In fact, I married a Greek from Africa who spoke Ethiopian. Some of my favorite performers have also been from anywhere else... Italy, Spain, France.

I admire those who can speak multiple languages fluently. There aren't many Americans who can start a conversation in English and finish it in Arabic. It's a talent all by itself...one I've never had.

Maybe that's why I value it so much; we always want what we can't have. But why can't I have it? 'I don't need it' is the best excuse; 'I'd never use it' is another. And there's also the fact that I can't roll my r's. Only foreigners seem to do that well.

But wouldn't it be nice? Speaking just one other language would dispel my sense of the isolated American; it would open my world. I could read more, listen more, talk more. You might think I'd have learned Greek after all this time with a Constantinou, but to me, Greek is just not practical outside of an occasional family dinner.

And Italian? I'd love to speak Italian. My father did. But teaching your kids your native language wasn't drawing many fans in the fifties.

Of course, there's Spanish, and a reason to learn it. Especially in the States. I think one day this country in this growing globality of ours will be full of people who speak at least two languages...by necessity.

I had four years of French in high school. Never used it, of course. But it sounded great when a real Frenchman spoke it. Wish I knew one.

Truth is, you only learn a language when there's a need or a want. Therefore, I will want it. I'll open my world and take a class this summer. My Greek and I will learn together.

So all Spanish aficionadoes beware. I just may be a foreigner one day.