Writing
My Language
By Fahima Dahir, 826 MSP
A poem about the strength and limitations of language and shared culture.
Level
Grade 9
Type
Poetry
My culture is based on how you speak,
It’s like a rainy day without the rainbow at the end, it’s just gloomy and sad.
My mother always said, if u step out of a plane speaking like that, u might as well cry ur way back inside.
My family says the same things to the little one, the more chuckles in the air the more cracks in their voices.
I said to my older cousin, “Maxay muhiim u tahay in la barto Soomaaliga?” She said back, “la’aanteed afkeenna ma jiri doontid.”
Translation: I said to my older cousin, “Why do I have to learn Somali?” She said back, “Without our language, you would not exist.”