hindi

I speak English. I speak Hindi too. I think it’s perhaps most accurate to say I speak Hinglish. What does that mean? Well, I suppose I like to intertwine words from both languages, like braiding strands of hair. They come alive, taking on richer meanings, more context. I love my language superpower. I hate it too, sometimes.

Coming to terms with my Indian American identity was quickly followed by another recognition: The world isn’t as straight as I thought it was.

The use of words has been significant in many cultures across the globe. Not so long ago in South Asia, too, people would enjoy sipping tea (or desi rum) and speaking to beings in person. Yes, actually “speaking” and not “texting.”