Challenge: Words with no English Equivalent
Irish Gaelic: Amainiris - the second day after tomorrow
FIONA is in high school. Doing homework at MARCIA’s living room table.
FIONA
There are so many gaps in the English language. I mean how can a language that is pieced together from Romance and Germanic languages still not have a phrase for “l’esprit d’escalier”.
MARCIA
I suppose that’s because if we need a words or phrase for something we just steal it. a la vis a vis.
FIONA
That’s so frustrating though!
MARCIA
Maybe, but it’s how a global society works. It’s how all the cool kids are doing it these days… look at the word for internet or… I don’t know, what are some new things?
FIONA
Cellphones?
MARCIA
Well, the base certainly all comes from the same place, whatever phone is in the language.
FIONA
English has been the biggest offender, though. And it’s not only annoying to me! Think about all the people are learning it as a second language! Or third! And then there are people who get so mad when people “don’t speak English.” You barely speak English! How do you expect to someone to learn the language from scratch! It’s just so…! So!…
(becomes upset to the point that she can no longer speak on the verge of tears.)
MARCIA
What’s wrong, honey?
FIONA
I just don’t understand it. I don’t understand how people can be so mean and careless to other humans. I don’t understand how people can hate someone they’ve never met, they don’t know.
MARCIA
Oh honey.
FIONA
I don’t understand.