For all that we cannot survive without it, Air is something we all take for granted. Which is why it is surprise that ‘hawa’ is seldom used to mean what it is supposed to mean.
Yet, when the person changes because of changed circumstances, ‘hawa lag gaya’/ ‘air has touched (him)’ is the slightly contemptuous way in which it is described. Though, why it should be so, I fail to understand. If you go through life without allowing the places you live in and people you live with to change you, isn’t it a very narrow life you are leading?
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There are words, and there are words. Some words can be easily translated, others need to be described. In April, I’ll attempt to capture the Soul of 26 'Indian' words in a drabble of exactly 100 words.
5 comments:
Natasha - Such an interesting point! Don't we all change as our lives go by? I am truly savouring this education I'm getting in terms, what they mean and what they say about the culture. Thanks.
Wow, that's a really interesting expression. I'm gonna have to think about that for a while.
As I'm doing my Swedish lessons, I'm realizing that a lot of the times it takes more than one English word to express a Swedish one. Sounds like you're running into the same thing!
Tina @ Life is Good
Co-Host of the April A to Z Challenge
Twitter: @AprilA2Z #atozchallenge
Interesting saying. Writers know that circumstances should change their fictional characters. It's called the character arc and a story doesn't work without it. But you knew that already! :)
Found you from A-Z Challenge.
thewritershadeofpale.blogspot.com
I am going to say that to my Indian friend tomorrow and see if he knows this. I hope it's pronounced as it's spelled. Thanks Rayna...I am more educated every day I read your site.
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