ENGLISH IS NOT MY FIRST LANGUAGE

I was born to an Indonesian mother

And an Indian father

So but obvious

English is not my first language

My mother tongue is BAHASA INDONESIA

And national language is HINDI

And I speak my father’s language BANGLA too

So but obvious

English is not my first language

As a kid, I was taught Bhagvad Gita

So I had to learn SANSKRIT

In school, English was the second language

So but obvious

English is not my first language

As I was growing up

My friends taught me PUNJABI

And I picked up MARATHI

So but obvious

English is not my first language

The multi-diversity Indian culture

Made me to pick up various dialects (of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana & Bihar states)

And I could interact with more people better

So but obvious

English is not my first language

While my parents shifted bases

I picked up URDU, TAMIL, TELUGU and KANNADA

Yes! It was natural for me to pick up languages

So but obvious

English is not my first language

I was fascinated by the language FRENCH

Because of its similarities to Sanskrit

And being musical and sweet like Bangla

So but obvious

English is not my first language

Whenever I have interacted with others

And spoken their languages

First they are surprised, the happy

As languages break the barrier

Between two people and cultures

Each language broadened my horizon

As I gathered knowledge about other cultures

I enjoy, myself interacting with people

So but obvious

English is not my first language

Interacting online

The Filipinos were very sweet

To teach me TAGALOG

So but obvious

English is not my first language

A Spanish-speaking friend

Encouraged me to learn SPANISH

Yes! I am learning the language

So but obvious

English is not my first language

I wonder at times

And so do others

As to how I can speak so many languages

I know pretty well

And so do others interacting with me

There are a few though

Who insists every time

To let me know

What I already know

That English is not my first language

English is just another language

Just like French, Spanish or Bangla

Spoken in different countries of the world

So but obvious my friends

English is not my first language

5^th July 2007