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July 4, 2007
Is deaf love real love?
I've lived in a variety of different cities over the years, Montreal Canada being one of them. When I first moved there (and when I didn't speak a word of French), I remarked to a Montrealer friend that I was really interested in dating a French girl, regardless of the language barrier. My friend made some sarcastic comment that that's how she met and married her (nonexistent) Slobovian husband. There's some truth to her sarcastic little comment - in the movies and books, people from other sides of the planet meet and fall in love without uttering a word that either of hem can understand. It caused me to wonder whether deaf love actually exists. I'm not talking about deaf dating - I'm talking about love that transcends language. Can two people who don't speak a word of each other' language actually communicate in a non-verbal way?
In way too many films to mention (some starring Keanu Reeves), LOVE CONQUERS ALL regardless of class, ethnic background, physical impediments like glaciers and mountains, and yes, language barriers. In these romantic movies, some guy from Peoria IL can be plunked down in Uzbekistan with a Lonely Planet guide book, one hundred dollars, and a flashy smile, and in no time he'll be getting hitched to some local beauty who's never set foot outside her village. I have a creeping suspicion that love doesn't happen that way, however. I can't believe that Hollywood has been lying to me again! (sarcasm definitely intended)
There are plenty of relationships that are taking off at every second of every day that involve people who don't speak each others' language terribly well. In those cases however, usually some attempt is made to learn the mother tongue of each partner - an English guy will try brush up on his French, while his French girlfriend will learn some ESL. I've seen that scenario a number of times, and it can be pretty cute. In one instance, I knew someone who had met her Francophone husband by random coincidence, and when they went on their first date he had brought his French English dictionary. It's a sweet example which has definitely turned out for the best (they're both reasonably bilingual now).
So perhaps the stereotype is true, to some extent. You may find yourself catching the sun in Belize and find yourself madly in love with a local lad/lady, and you can go from there. Just don't leave that phrasebook back at the hotel!
Posted by Glen at July 4, 2007 2:47 AM
