I learned to speak in fluent French
And 'useless' Latin when at school
I passed A level, with effort
No fool, I learned the words and rules
And then I met a polyglot
His languages, not four, but eight!
For years I dreamed of my hero
But thought for me it was too late
Than along came Duolingo
And Google hit and miss Translate
What great joy, I started German
I learned, it is never too late
Each day I learned twenty new words
'though each day I forget thirty
Each day I learn to say, It's new
Can't say, It's old, dear, or dirty
I'm learning twelve new languages
Sometimes get a bit confused
I learn a lot of obscure words
Practise tenses I've never used
Yet I am learning every da y
I say all new words twice out loud
Ten words I read but cannot say
Of that I am extremely proud.
I'm always keen to add some more
New languages are what I seek
I want to add Esperanto
To my list of those I can't speak.
Acquaintances are so impressed
Just when I open with hello
In lots of foreign languages
Tell waiters yes, (but can't say no).
I say what I know how to say
Hello, Hallo, ola, bonjour
The latter is French for good day,
Of that, at least, I'm almost sure
They think because I know two words
I must be very brainy
At least I've got something to do
Like cross words, when its rainy.
I'm learning twelve new languages
Yes, strangers are impressed
Learn one new word, then confuse two
Before I'm even dressed.
When people ask, how many
I have a good reply
"How many can you really speak?"
I smile and reply, "Why?"
"Are you glad you've met me?
Please remember my name
Just read my blogs and learn new words
Then you can do the same
"Alas you will not understand
Those who speak too fast
But sighing, 'I can't speak one word,'
Is in your long lost past."
You stare excitedly with me
Look in the same direction
On hearing, "Look, you look it up!"
Fun spreads like an infection
And if you are not understood
And you do not know why
At least in 12 languages
You quickly say goodbye.
I cannot teach you many words
I won't confuse with thirty
Just adios, and hej hej
Au revoir, arrivaderci.
-ends-
The last verse last two lines say goodby in Spanish, Danish, Swedish and Norwegian, French, and Italian.
Please share links to your favourite blog posts.
The poem title contains the word dia, Spanish for day, a pun on the English word dear, addressing the reader as dear, which sounds the same. Hear and dear rhyme, which is a clue. Dia is actually di-a, but near enough.
Comic and tragic sound the same. Strictly speaking,
