Language lessons

Except for “thank you” and “hello” I do not speak any Hindi and I don’t think this would be an easy language to learn. Body language, however, is another story. Here are just some of the observations I have made.

Indians have a really interesting head movement that initially threw me off completely. The best way I can describe it is a bobble-head movement that resembles a shaking of the head but only the chin moves from side to side. Because it resembles our body language when we negate a statement, I took it initially as a “no” or disapproval which really didn’t match the context of the conversation or setting. Finally I noticed the difference between this head movement and a regular shaking of the head and realized it had to mean something different. It is an agreeing sign, not quite the same as a nodding of the head, but more an agreement to the conversations or context although I have also seem some use it identically to our nodding in agreement.

It has also been really interesting to watch the body language of actors and especially music videos. The plots are consistent: girl is very pretty and playfully independent, boy notices girl and tries with tricks to get her to dance. If girl is a good dancer, boy is even more interested and needs to keep her attention with even better dance movements.

The women in India are most definitely a text book example of hedonic power. Their power stems 100% from appearance and results in a type of bartering power. The prettier they are, the more powerful men they can attract and in this way influence their surroundings. Men possess a type of agonic power. I say type, because it is not always a power to acquire goods or power, but to perform tricks and seem popular, although some shows clearly hint towards a classic agonic power as well. “Seeming” is everything in India and the visual factors that result in “seeming powerful” at times make the interactions and behavior seem childish. But, the better tricks he can do, the prettier women he can attract which in return reflects well on him.

Another thing that really stands out is how everybody is desperate to stand out and be somebody. I guess with so many people, there is a huge scarcity on resources, including attention and status. This seems to result in a strong need to be the one who knows, the one who can, the one with the power. In order to seem this way, they are loud or pushy or resort to the, at times ridiculously obvious, tricks to appear to be the go-to-man.

This all is in such stark contrast to the overall belief that the greater good is more important that individual glory.

Much of the language is also mixed with words clearly rooted in English, but with a distinct pronunciation. I haven’t heard much of these English words from the women in the Maratha Colony, but more so from lower and middle class Mumbaians (is that even a word?). Especially in the stores, you will hear sprinkles of English throughout the conversations. From what I had read before leaving for India, was that English was spoken in many places throughout Mumbai, but was still clearly reserved for the luckier ones with an education. I was amazed, however, how many kids in the Maratha Colony spoke very good English. More contradictions.