The Polyglot Child in Me Who Linked "Fly" to "Michael". 😁 — The Invisible Bridges of Multilingualism and Multiculturalism

"Language is the shadow of the soul; he who speaks multiple languages has multiple souls." — Arab Proverb

During my childhood in Bulgaria, one memory, in particular, has always held a unique place in my mind. I would often accompany my father to his workplace, where I quickly became the mascot of his Bulgarian colleagues. Among them, one man left a lasting impression on me. From our very first meeting, I nicknamed him “Fly ذبابة” in Arabic, a simple word that refers to the insect, but whose significance seemed obvious to my child’s eyes at the time. I stubbornly called him “Fly ذبابة” in Arabic, without knowing why. The reason for this name completely escaped my memory.

For years, this nickname remained a mystery to me. Why did I choose to call him that? Why did this particular word imprint itself on my mind? During an unrelated and casual conversation, it was only recently that the "Fiat Lux" moment occurred—the veil was finally lifted. Without any apparent reason, I suddenly remembered that this man’s name was "Мухаел" [Mukhael], the Bulgarian equivalent of "Michael" in Latin. And then, everything became clear. I burst into laughter! 🤣

My child’s brain had unconsciously created a unique diminutive. Instead of the classic "Micha" for Michael, as is common in both Russian and Bulgarian, I had spontaneously and simply opted for "Mukha", the beginning of his name, which means… "Fly" in Bulgarian! Why complicate things when you can keep it simple? 😅

In Bulgaria, the name "Мухаел" can be shortened to "Миша" [Misha], a common diminutive. Yet, unknowingly, I deviated from the norm, shortening the name to "Муха" or "Mukha," which means "fly" in Bulgarian. My young mind had therefore established a linguistic connection between his name, the diminutive I had created, and this familiar insect word, translating it instantly and unconsciously into Arabic, where it became his second diminutive, without my awareness. Since Arabic is my mother tongue, I instinctively chose to make this term his official nickname, erasing the original diminutive from my memory. This mental process, as simple as it seems today, took nearly forty years to fully emerge into consciousness. It is a striking example of how young minds process information, instinctively linking sounds and meanings, often without fully understanding the implications.

This anecdote perfectly illustrates the complexity of mental associations and how memories are constructed through linguistic and cultural stimuli. When a child is exposed to a multilingual environment, their still-malleable brain creates cognitive shortcuts to understand the world around them. Words become bridges between different languages, and these bridges, though sometimes fragile or illogical to adult eyes, are crucial elements of cognitive development.

This memory is not just a nod to the past; it also raises important questions about how childhood experiences shape our perception of the world. Linguistic associations made early can remain anchored in our minds for decades, only to resurface at the mention of a simple word or conversation. This phenomenon highlights the importance of implicit memory, the kind that operates in the shadows, unnoticed, yet profoundly influences our behaviour and interactions.

In a professional context, especially in a multicultural environment, this experience demonstrates how valuable childhood memories and linguistic associations can be. They reveal an ability to understand, adapt, and navigate between different cultures, a vital skill in today’s globalised world. By being aware of these subtle and often unconscious links between languages, we can improve communication, avoid misunderstandings, and strengthen professional relationships.

Finally, this story invites us to reflect on the importance of multilingualism and early exposure to a multicultural environment in our personal and professional development. A child’s brain, exposed early to multiple languages and cultures, develops cognitive shortcuts that do not exist in a monolingual individual or a culturally homogeneous environment. These shortcuts become bridges between languages, forming a unique cognitive richness. Revisiting these memories helps us better understand our present and use this knowledge to enrich our professional lives.

"To learn a language is to have one more window from which to view the world." — Chinese Proverb

Thank you for reading, and see you soon for another human exploration! ... And by the way, check out my other Newsletters, you will surely find one that interests you!

— ... And above all, don't forget, Be kind to yourself, to others, love everyone without distinction, be kind to one another and help everyone by using generosity and acts of kindness, and... May your nights be as Sweet and peaceful with the feeling of a duty fulfilled and may your days be Bright! This is my motto 😉 —

In solidarity,

Sofiane Sid-Ahmed GHERBI

Translator and Interpreter

President-Founder,

MALAK D'ALGER Association جمعية ملاك لولاية الجزائر | Ex. City of Angels of Algiers - SOLIANGES

sofiane-gherbi@citedesanges.org

www.citedesanges.org

Hello! 🤗 I am Sofiane, a Translator and Interpreter specialising in translations from French and English into Arabic, with expertise in Spanish, Turkish, Russian, and Ottoman Turkish. Passionate about Humans, I am interested in everything that touches their History, cultures, beliefs, and languages, particularly Semitic, Iberian, Slavic, and Turkic languages; not forgetting liturgical languages, which are another of my strengths. My commitment to cultural and linguistic diversity, communication in its aspects of Inter-culturality, Multi-culturality, and Trans-culturality is a reflection of this passion and vocation, crystallising in the principle of "Trans-lation" in my vocation as a Translator and Interpreter of human achievement.

In parallel, I am an active and committed Humanitarian, dedicating my time and energy to my Association, the "Cité des Anges d'Alger", dedicated to assisting and protecting children and mothers, of which I am the President and Founder: www.citedesanges.org

In a world that values sharp expertise, I am also an Expert in Foreign Trade Operations & International Relations by day; a Volunteer Translator/Interpreter by night; an engaged Humanitarian the rest of the time and on weekends; a Gardener, a DIY enthusiast, chess player, martial arts practitioner, apprentice Potter-ceramist, former student of Arab-Andalusian music, and Coursera course devourer challenging myself with new skills and knowledge, if there is any time left in the 24 hours that make up my days… This is my Ikigai! 😉

Author's Note: Never forget that you have the power to make a difference, regardless of your age or situation. Get involved in Solidrity and Humanitarian Actions, do good around you, for these generous and altruistic actions will build a better world for all of us. Be the diamond that lights the way for others, and your light will shine eternally ... long after you!