Unity in Diversity – A Father’s Day Story!
Today is Father’s Day and here is my story as a father of two wonderful kids (My teenage son doesn’t consider himself as a kid anymore but then that’s another story).
I am a Bengali married to a Kannadiga. The language that we use to communicate with each other (me and my wife) is primarily Hindi – sometimes English. Don’t ask me why, but that was the common tongue for both of us from Day 1.
When my son was born in 2004, we were in Bangalore.
My in-laws and my wife used to talk in Kannada with my son.
Whereas
My parents and I used to talk with him in Bengali.
When my son was about 2.5 years old, we moved to Kolkata!
Bengali got precedence because everyone in and around spoke in Bengali!
My wife continued speaking in Kannada with my son though!
Over the years, my son picked up both Bengali and Kannada other than of course Hindi and English!
We got into a situation where my son used to speak in Bengali with me and others in Kolkata but swiftly changed to Kannada when he used to speak with anyone in Bangalore.
Amongst all this, my wife and I continued speaking with each other in Hindi and English.
Talk of a diverse country? Come to my home where multiple languages thrive!
Fast forward: 2016
We adopted a two-year-old girl from Chhapra, Bihar and she only understood Hindi!
After she came into our lives, our household language turned into Hindi though my parents continued to communicate in Bengali with both their grandchildren!
We tried speaking with her in all languages (Hindi, English, Kannada, Bengali) but she remained comfortable only in Hindi and English!
Even if you ask a question in Kannada or Bengali she will either answer in Hindi or in English!
If you come to my house this is what you will see:
- Son and Mother speaking in Kannada
- Son and Father speaking in Bengali
- Mother and Father speaking in Hindi
BUT
Everyone speaking in Hindi with the daughter! And now 75% of the time we end up speaking in Hindi or English amongst each other!
This is how a diverse language household became a Hindi-dominant speaking household!
Lucky are those who are blessed with a daughter! Daughters change you! They are the biggest influencers in our lives!
If you want to learn about persuasion and influence techniques adopt a girl child! Your life will change!
What’s your story?
PS. Don’t think we need to celebrate a single Father’s Day because everyday is Father’s Day!
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Loved this piece. Life has so many shades and few get to experience the entire rainbow. You’re blessed.
Awesome Sourav. I thoroughly enjoyed your story/post (whatever you call it). Personally met your Son and Daughter during an occasion in 2019.
A good upbringing of kids is a serious concern of parents nowadays. And while communicating with you son, I found the gentle behavior he carries. Couldn’t chat with your daughter, cause she was busy with your relatives. And thus I could very well make out the proper teachings (the inner wellness, the wisdom) you and your Mrs. had and have been imparting to them. God bless, the beautiful kids and you all.
You both are happy parents of two lovely children