Found in translation

My late-friend, Jimmy (aka: Big Tuna), and I would often reflect through laughter on how funny some literal translations between Chuukese and English can be, particularly when trying to convey common sayings or terminology considered to hold deep, heartfelt meaning. We took some pride in knowing that the Chuukese (including us outer islanders) tend to reach for far deeper meaning, if not inspiration, with every word. If words were an indigenous dish, a clever turn of a phrase, hopeless metaphors and a pinch of “ѐkkenѐ” would be our main ingredients. My brother, Luc, likes the analogy of warrior poets for us. I prefer Cheezebags with our “love language” being ChuukCheeze™ as we’ve come to call it.

It is important to remember, though, that language is interminably linked with culture, so misinterpretation of language can very easily result in cultural offense. Some people take offense to things much easier than others, of course, and likely view language barriers purely in the negative—without a doubt, miscommunication (or the lack of effective communication) is a leading cause of missed opportunities and failed relationships of all kinds and at every level. It’s hard enough trying to communicate properly with people in shared languages, but it’s even harder trying to connect through varying languages. That said and putting aside the brittle spirits of so many who won’t see past themselves, those who seek out and choose to wallow in so-called offenses, there is a level of hilarity that can be found in translation from one language to another (even or especially when intended meaning gets lost).

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After mandatory Latin class in middle school, I decided (upon entering high school) that I would take the option of French for my language class requirement. My reasoning—and this is the honest goodness truth—was Pepѐ Le Pew (that’s right, the flirtatious cartoon skunk from Looney Tunes). At that moment in time, I found him hilarious and frankly he made me want to learn more about the so-called, “language of love.” One writer suggests that, “The melodic rhythm of the French language is enough to melt hearts all over the world,” which is why it is known as the language of love and romance. Even non-romantic words—like “libellule,” which literally means “dragonfly”—can cause a flutter in the heart.” (https://journeytofrance.com/why-is-french-the-language-of-love/) As a 15-year-old, pubescent boy I thought that was important—I suppose due to and through the exaggerated, French accent of Pepѐ himself who says, “In the spring, a young man’s love lightly turns to thoughts of fancy.”

I would learn, of course, that context matters and, although lovable in a quirky, acquired-taste kind of way, skunk-cheese is not for everyone, much less when served up at the hands of a silly little boy. Coincidentally and as luck would have it, the relationship with my first “real girlfriend” would take root and blossom in French class (before it withered away in the cold hard nights of winter). C’est la vie.

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Through the Mandt System®, a behavioral crisis interaction training, I learned of “Albert Mehrabian, a researcher of body language, who was the first to break down the components of a face-to-face conversation and found that communication is 55% nonverbal, 38% vocal and 7% words only.” MANDT puts it even more concisely in saying that it’s 55% Body Language, 38% Tone of Voice and only 7% Words. Imagine that: Our words make up a mere 7% of what we communicate and how that communication is received. I suspect these percentages may fluctuate from person to person, but there’s no escaping the fact that body language and tone of voice take on far more significance than the actual words being said (explaining, if not affirming, why and how so much gets lost in translation). Just to state the obvious, there is no body language or tone of voice in texting, emailing, etc. You are either sending or receiving a mere 7% of the whole message with texts and what’s worse is your mind likely invents or imagines the tone of voice and body language to go with it—whether in a negative or positive mood will determine how that person sounds and looks in your mind. This, by the way, borders on torturous for a person who prefers writing over speaking his words.

According to MANDT again, in order for people to feel safe with you, “there must be consistency between the words we use, the tone of our voice and our body language”—the more consistent they are, the more understood and believable a person becomes. Practically nothing breaks down communication more succinctly than distrust, or worse, not feeling safe around people. Conversely there is hardly anything that fosters more honest communication beyond people being able to say, “In this place, and with these people, I am safe”™.

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I was confused to read recently that Pepѐ Le Pew (for emphasis the cartoon skunk from Looney Tunes) became the target of a “cancel culture” snowball of snowflakes—reportedly cut (though unconfirmed) from appearing in one of the Space Jam movies—because he “normalized rape culture,” according to some op-ed published in the NY Times. I want to weep for the future.

To each his own, of course, but what I remember is a lovable cartoon skunk that was hopelessly in love with a cartoon cat that (like everyone else besides other skunks, I presume) couldn’t stand his stench—pretty freakin’ funny if you ask me.

For the sake of over-thinking, there is a level of familiarity with Pepѐ’s playful language such as, “C’est le moment de la mise amore” which apparently was a play on the words “mise à mort” (death sentence) and “mi amore” (love in Italian). The clever use of subtle, double meaning and the imagery of death and love in unison (or rather, the sentiment of give me love or give me death) is the stuff of good ChuukCheeze. And if you haven’t had your daily dose of cheese today, “Kapong seni ei mesen mongki ngeni ka pwisin sinei. Choun ei inis ekuf ren choun fongum ei merei.”[Translation: Greetings from this monkey face to you already know. The heavy weight of this body is no match for the heavy weight of this love I have for you.] (Note to reader: Smile.)