In this February season of saccharine serenades and pink paper hearts, the term “love language” seems to pop up everywhere. Just as banner ads dare you to discover your own love language through quizzes, media organizations dissect the theory in articles about millennial dating. I’ve taken time to consider what my own love language might be. After all, it wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without chocolate, candy grams, and existential contemplation. Prompted by the seasonal disappointment of tasteless candy hearts and their robotically-written, HUG MEs, I finally reached a conclusion. At the risk of sounding like a pitch for an Inception movie sequel, I’ve realized that my love language is—hold onto your caramels—language itself.
Sometimes I find myself sitting back, marvelling at the way linguistics work in everyday life. Symbols and sounds, when systematically organized, can convey nearly anything one could desire to think, write, or say. To even consume this writing, your brain must extract meaning from simple marks on a page. The English alphabet consists of twenty-six distinct letters. Mouthfuls like antidisestablishmentarianism coexist with lazy expressions like sofa, so it wouldn’t be a stretch to laud the complexity of the language.
Despite this range, every time my fingers stumble among the depths of a keyboard’s “QWERTY,” I’m reminded of its fragile construction. A quaint little typo, live can become love when a fingertip slips just slightly to the right. Maybe it’s a coincidence. A natural consequence of a limited alphabet, and nothing more. Or maybe it’s intentional—a reminder of the interconnectedness of life and love. Surely, my propensity to make typos limits my ability to make judgements on such a matter. But if not yet a well-cooked theoretical meal, the occurrence is at least food for thought.
This February 14th, I’ve compiled a list of foreign language phrases that seem to encapsulate concepts of love more fully than English. Whether you’re a lover, a groaner, or a leave-me-aloner, this seasonal mini dictionary should serve you well.
In 2009-2010, Apple ran an ad campaign which boasted its broad range of newly developed apps. Each commercial touted, “There’s an app for that,” amid backdrops of colorful iPod home screens. I think the English language—in which dictionaries act as lingual App Stores—could be similarly branded. But paradoxically, in a language that offers at least a quarter of a million distinct terms, words still fail. Particularly, words for the complex experience of love seem to be lacking. This phenomenon of missing pieces begs the question: In English, is there really always a word for that?
Although it can be tricky to convey these intricacies, English does its best to serve up solutions. Sometimes it fails, though, resulting in instances like a Valentine’s Day that tastes more sour than sweet. As a self-diagnosed linguaphile, I’m making it my mission to feed readers a spoonful of linguistic sugar in the hopes that maybe, just maybe, the medicine will go down.
This February 14th, I’ve compiled a list of foreign language phrases that seem to encapsulate concepts of love more fully than English. Whether you’re a lover, a groaner, or a leave-me-aloner, this seasonal mini dictionary should serve you well. Do your pick-up lines need some dusting off after hiatus? Maybe you’re working on a candy gram to that special someone. Whatever the reason, look no further. Where English fails, global languages prevail—so indulge in these decadent idioms and tell your dentist to thank clearance-aisle candy for funding their summer vacation.
media naranja
Spanish
Talk about Cuties. Meaning “the other half of one’s orange,” this term describes a perfect match between partners or friends. Together, they are complete.
Koi No Yokan
Japanese
The sure feeling upon meeting someone that you are bound to fall in love. I mean, hey. If Cinderella can be so sure that she leaves it all up to a shoe, maybe we should trust our instincts after all.
minestra riscaldata
Italian
Literally, this phrase means “reheated soup.” It’s used when something has already failed, but is being tried again regardless. I’m not implying you should reconsider a third reunion with that ex, but... chicken noodle, anyone?
die Geborgenheit
German
A feeling of security, particularly as caused by the presence of a loved one. Think of that friend you can rely on to make sure your food order is correct, instead of letting you quietly consume a meal you never ordered. Avoiding confrontation? Now that’s love.
La douleur exquise
French
This phrase translates to “the exquisite pain,” and refers to the suffering induced by loving someone who you can’t have. All those who were prepared to elope with Zac Efron after High School Musical, say aye. You wanted a relationship, but listen: it’s not your fault he didn’t “Bet On It.”
Cafuné
Portuguese
The feeling of bliss in response to the running of one’s fingers through another’s hair. Take this as your daily reminder not to fall in love with your hairstylist. I know, I know… the shampooing is indescribable.
Gigil
Tagalog
The overwhelming urge to pinch or squeeze someone or something because it is so adorable. Prime culprits include grandmothers and anyone in the presence of puppies.
Joonam ( جونم)
Farsi
Roughly translating to “my everything” or “my soul,” this term is used to describe someone who means the world to you. So, you know, maybe don’t send this one alongside a “u up?” text.
