"Pyaz?" I repeated, trying to get the pronunciation right.
My mother, born and raised in India, would switch between Hindi, English, and Gujarati with ease, often within the same sentence. Her words were like a spice blend, tossed together with a dash of this and a pinch of that. I'd listen, mesmerized, as she chatted with her sisters, her friends, or even herself, while she chopped, sautéed, and simmered.
As we cooked, she taught me phrases and words in Hindi, Gujarati, and even some Urdu. I was a sponge, soaking up the language like a hungry plant drinks water.
"Pyaz aur adrak," she replied, smiling. "Onions and ginger." A Multicultural Reader Daniel Bonevac.epub
"The Language of My Mother's Kitchen"
The more I learned, the more I realized that language was just a small part of the culture my mother had brought with her from India. The food, the music, the festivals - everything was intertwined, a rich braid of traditions and customs.
One day, I decided to learn. I sat on a stool beside my mother, watching as she expertly chopped onions and ginger. "What's that?" I asked, pointing to the pile of chopped vegetables. I'd listen, mesmerized, as she chatted with her
When I was young, I didn't speak the languages she did. I was a product of American schools, where English was the only language that mattered. But in my mother's kitchen, language was a flexible thing. It was a tool, a seasoning, a way to add depth and love to the food.
My mother chuckled. "That's close, beta. Pyaz means 'onion' in Hindi."
A fictional writer, Nalini Rao
As a child, I never understood why my mother's kitchen was always filled with the most incredible smells. She would cook up a storm, and the aromas would waft through the entire house, making everyone's stomach growl with anticipation. But it wasn't just the food that was a mystery to me - it was the language she spoke while she cooked.
In this piece, I aimed to capture the theme of multiculturalism and the power of language and culture to connect us to our heritage and to each other. I hope you enjoy it!