Language war

Sometimes I regret writing this blog in English. Not because it is hard for me to write in English, but rather because sometimes, just sometimes, I feel like writing in Norwegian, my mother tongue. Some things just sound better in Norwegian. I am funnier in Norwegian. (At least I think so...) There are expressions and combinations of words which sometimes perfectly describe where I am at the time, which come to me in Norwegian. And then there are all the cultural references that are totally lost in English, but work in Norwegian.

It is strange to me that after over 10 years of living my life in English, Norwegian is still surfacing to such a degree when I try to express myself. After all, almost my entire adult life has been lived in English. True, Norwegian is very much present in my life as well, but with having studied in English, lived in England, currently living in what is called the "Anglo bubble" here in Jerusalem, marrying and living (communicating) with my husband mostly in English, and having most of my friends communicate with me in English, it surprises me that English has not taken over my brain more.

To most people I seem bilingual. I read and write with ease in both Norwegian and English. I enjoy both languages. But sometimes things are better said in Norwegian. The opposite also happens to be true. There are times English cover things and emotions better than Norwegian. From time to time I wish that everybody could just speak both Norwegian and English. That way we could speak Norwenglish together. Oh, that would be great.

Having said that, I can feel my brain is slowly, slowly being won over to "the other side." I now very often write lists in English. (And that is not just so Mr.T will understand them, like it used to be.) I catch myself mumbling to myself in English. And most horrifying - I sometimes find myself writing down my recipes in English, and not in Norwegian. It makes me a little sad.

I guess this is the price one has to pay for living an international life. During the course of my day it is not rare that I encounter 5 or 6 different languages. All of which I somehow interact with. Some I speak more, some I speak less. Hopefully my brain will not become totally befuddled (one of my favourite English words!) by the end of it all!