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“My fellow Linguafoureans …”
Singapore is unique in having four official languages each from a different language family. Linguafour is a space to celebrate how this linguistic treasure strengthens Singaporeans and unites us.
In this fourth edition of our monthly newsletter, we consider:
Light
Recently, many of us enjoyed Diwali, the “Festival of Lights,” celebrating light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. We wish you a (belated) Happy Diwali!
Other than the obvious, what else does “light” signify in each of Singapore’s official languages?
Light can also mean “bright,” “not heavy” or “easy.”
光 (guāng) can also signify “glory”, “honour” or “virtue.”
Cahaya can also represent a positive influence or hope.
ஒளி (oḷi) can also symbolise knowledge or clarity.
The different ways in which each language uses its word for “light” help draw our attention to different ideas, thoughts and perspectives that are illuminating for all of us.
How language works
We often think of languages as columns on a massive spreadsheet, with each row holding the labels that different languages give to the same thing. If we go along the row which has “rose” in the English column, we will find “玫瑰 (méi guī)” in the Chinese column, “Mawar” in the Malay column, and “ரோஜா (rōjā)” in the Tamil. However, as we saw with “light,” neither language nor reality is that simple!
Let’s examine three key ways in which languages work:
i. Categories
The universe filled with electromagnetic radiation. The small portion detectable by human eyes is what we call “light” and encompasses an infinite range of colours. Yet our brains categorise these colours into just a handful of basic categories, like “red,” “yellow” and “blue.” Crucially, those categories are not universal; they depend on the language we use. For example:
青 (qīng) is a colour category in Chinese which spans both the green and blue parts of the spectrum describing the colour of jade, the sea or the sky.
Perang is a colour category in Malay which spans yellow and orange but with muted earthy tones and may describe the colour of sand, a camel’s coat or rich honey.
காம்பு (kaambu) is a colour category in Tamil which spans earthy tones of green and yellow parts, from olive through khaki to light mustard and might describe a military uniform, a burlap sack or dried turmeric powder.
Our perception is constructed by our brains from limited sensory data it receives from our sensory hardware and is shaped by the language(s) we know.
ii. Metaphors
Instead of constantly creating new labels, languages rely heavily on metaphor. We have already seen this when describing colours like 青, Perang and காம்பு in English. When we say “a jade skirt,” “a camel bag” or “turmeric paint,” we are using metaphor. We know the skirt is not made of jade but resembles it in colour; the bag is not camel hide but has a similar shade; the paint is not turmeric-based but reflects the spice’s vibrant yellow..
When we say “the new laptop is very light,” we use “light” as a metaphor for weight. This metaphor does not work in Chinese, Tamil or Malay, which each use distinct words for brightness and weight.
iii. Associations
Languages also associate things that are not like one another nor in the same category. Tamil uses “light” as a symbol of knowledge; in Malay it represents hope; in Chinese it implies virtue.
In Britain, the poppy flower is associated with the First World War and has become a symbol of remembrance for fallen soldiers. In China, however, the same flower is associated with the Opium Wars and 19th century foreign imperialism.
In Tamil, the blue pea flower is linked to the goddess Karuvilai Amman, who is associated with fertility and motherhood, whilst in Malay that flower is traditionally associated with improving memory and reducing stress.
Togetherness
To gain a more objective understanding of the world, expand our thought processes, and build stronger relationships, we need to be able to see things from different perspectives, find fresh connections, and appreciate other people’s positions. We need to be able to see the world through the eyes of people who use different languages to us. Diversity is what makes us stronger together.
What does “togetherness” mean? Once again, let us consider the perspectives of Singapore’s four official languages:
Together in English comes from the idea of coming “to” a “gathering”
一起 (yī qǐ) in Chinese comes from “rising” (起, qǐ) as “one” (一, yī)
Bersama in Malay comes from “being” (ber-) in some sense the “same” (sama)
ஒன்றாக (oṉṟāga) comes from being “as” (-āga) “one” (oṉṟ-)
“Togetherness” is built on being in the same time and place, sharing the same experiences and going on the same journey. It comes from choosing to see ourselves as one, focussing on what we have in common rather than on what separates us. Togetherness do not just happen: it usually involves us taking the initiative to move towards others. And then, having gathered, getting up and setting out on joint activities side by side.
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Previous editions
Happy Birthday: official launch on Singapore's 59th birthday
Majulah Singapura: let our voices soar as one
Identity: unity in diversity not uniformity
Other posts
Heritage: Singapore’s unique linguistic heritage
About: what Linguafour is and how to get involved
Name: where Linguafour’s name and logo came from
Why: why should we change the lens?
How: how do we change the lens?
What: what can we do to change the lens?
Blue Pea: the multiple faces of South East Asia’s popular flower
Life Jacket: an airline safety notice shows us different ways of thinking
Jalan: the word on the street
Leadership is language: changing language is the key to success
Perspectives: I need your eyes to see
Video
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Photo Credit: header image background by jscreationsmm from Pixabay