As you know dear reader, I am writing from London; subsequently, the global capital of the English language.
Alas no.
If you were to land here right now and step into a bus, train and any other public places with loads of Londoners, you might be surprised. Yes all signs, announcements, directions and legal dos and dont’s, follow Queens and Kings English.
Yes, this is England and here have lived some of the most well known English writers such as the iconic Charles Dickens who wrote in “Great Expectations”, his 13th famous novel, published in 1861:
“I landed in London on a wintry autumn evening. It was dark and raining and I saw more fog and mud in a minute than I had seen in a year.”
London; aptly described, indeed.
In other writings the English novelist called Londoners “overworked…” people.
Perfectly correct; most Londoners complain of being permanently exhausted. Here, you work to pay bills. Always rushing. Paying bills so you can work. Work, so you can pay bills.
And within all these twigs, ramps and tar, only stress. How do you cope? Londoners are forever polite. Deep down do not want to cause any trouble.
Across trains, buses and other public places such as say, inside a huge supermarket; no one talks carelessly, to strangers. Unless for a purpose. Asking directions. Buying, selling something (business). Helping a beggar. Most times, you keep your mouth shut. Unless with friends, family, work colleagues.
And here comes that famous London word. The English word that is used everywhere. All the time. A word keeping you safe and peaceful.
The magic word.
We can only compare it to the Swahili magic word. Pole. Pronounce “polay” if you are reading this and do not speak Kiswahili. “Pole” is heavens to Swahili speakers. You come from somewhere. Tired. Hungry. We say Pole to you. “Ahsante” (thanks), you reply. Poleni, if you are many and have, perhaps been bereaved. Condolences. Relief. Or you just made love and your partner reached the stars. Pole. Tough journey.
“Pole”, the miracle word.
Travelling across the planet during the last 40 years—to places with different cultures. I have learnt to speak many languages. Yet the word “pole” is unavailable, unfamiliar, unequalled. I mean here in Europe, you might arrive at a premise with a large luggage. People do not send a child to rush and relieve you of the bags, saying “pole na safari”…
The last thing a person expects is for you to come take bags from their hands. You will be offered drinks and a hot bath even. However, “Pole”, is always missing.
And so what is London’s moonlight word? A word that touches your senses like thick succulent Tabora honey drops?
It starts with an S.
You hear it all the time.
You are about to pass a group of people chatting and blocking your path. Whatever tensions that were about to soar, just go down as soon as S is uttered.
Someone was supposed to be here at a certain time. She is late. You are fuming. Suddenly she is here. Panting.
SORRY.
“Sorry” is the star of London. Of course, it is equally used in other cities and places across this country which introduced English, worldwide, centuries ago.
Even Swahili gets polluted. “Swanglish” gets more respect than Kiswahili. There are many East Africans, chiefly, the elite who cannot speak Swahili without topping a few English words. As if adding English to a Kiswahili sentence feeds it extra gears. BOOST.
Yet does beloved English ever add Kiswahili to their sentences?
Sorry, is the winner, yes.
And speaking of winners, London’s tongues might surprise you. Here at least 200 languages are spoken, daily. Every one from every part of planet earth walks these streets that Charles Dickens called “foggy” three centuries ago.
These days mobile phones have taken privacy out of folk’s mouths. Just sit in a bus. You shall hear on average four languages, spontaneously. As common as saying “sorry” and “poleni.”
There are many words, of course. We cannot list all in a 5 minute article.
And if I have forgotten?
My bad.
Yes my bad, is that recent imported American word, that has slowly mushroomed. Sorry; my bad. I forgot we were supposed to say cheerio. For now. Sorry. My bad. Pole sana. Ashenally, if you speak Kima’asai.
