Language

from husband Bill, March 26, 2026

As a journalist and a linguist for many decades, I am fascinated by misunderstandings produced by the frailty of language. This short video is a funny example of that. I have been misunderstood for my entire life, so maybe that's why I fight for myself and others to be understood.

I have formally studied English, French, and German at high schools, at a prep school, and at universities. I have a minor in French from Villanova University (that was connected to my bachelor's degree in communications). I also have a master's degree in journalism from the University of Missouri.

On a personal level, I have studied Italian, as per my heritage and so that I could speak in Italian with my Italian family members. I studied German, as per my heritage and so that I could speak in German with my Austrian family members.

Also, on a personal level, I have studied Sanskrit, as per my Hindu religion.

I have sort of studied Tagalog. Long ago, I think in the late 1980s, I very briefly dated a Filipina. It didn't work out, partially because she hated the music of The Beatles, but mostly because she wanted me to become roommates with her ex-boyfriend, but not tell him we were dating. I didn't, because my initial thought was, "That's an interesting way to get myself killed." I also anticipated unnecessary drama. No thanks.

I took her to a Beatle convention in New Jersey, where she was far from thrilled. I did have one interesting date with her at a restaurant. Attending were she and I, and seven of her female friends: six Filipinas and one South Korean. I requested that the piano player play the song "The One I Love Belongs To Somebody Else," which absolutely horrified all of them ... but I digress.

https://youtube.com/shorts/nkzqaVFjUeo?si=eLe3Z1_Km7r3DM1o