How Living in Different States Shaped My Life
Which languages do you speak and how did that impact your life?
Which Languages Do I Speak?
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I’ve lived in different states and picked up bits of different languages along the way—like collecting pretty shells on a beach. Some I kept, some I misplaced, and some are probably hiding somewhere in my memory, waiting to be found.
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Hindi is my comfort zone. It’s the language my heart reaches for when it’s happy, upset, excited, or simply in the mood to talk endlessly. It’s the language of family conversations, childhood memories, and countless cups of tea shared over stories. When I need to express my feelings without searching for the right words, Hindi is usually the first language that comes to my rescue.
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English has been a faithful companion in my reading, writing, and learning adventures. It has introduced me to wonderful books, new ideas, and people from different walks of life. We don’t always agree on spellings or pronunciations, but somehow, we’ve made the friendship work.
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Telugu keeps me connected to my roots. It carries memories of home, family traditions, and the familiar comfort of belonging. It quietly reminds me where I come from, even when I occasionally fumble over a word or two.
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The funny thing is, living in different places taught me that communication isn’t just about language. A smile, a nod, expressive hand gestures, and confidence can get you surprisingly far.
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Living in different states did more than add a few words to my vocabulary. It introduced me to different cultures, traditions, food, and ways of looking at life. Every move taught me how to adapt, connect, and find a sense of belonging in unfamiliar places.
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I may not speak every language fluently—in fact, some languages and I are still in a long-distance relationship—but I’ve learned to appreciate different cultures and find common ground with people wherever I go. The biggest impact wasn’t becoming multilingual; it was becoming more open-minded. My world became bigger, my conversations richer, and my life far more interesting than if I had stayed in just one place.
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So, which languages do I speak?
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A little Hindi, a little English, a little Telugu… and a lot of human.
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And after all these years, I’ve learned that people rarely remember whether you spoke perfectly. They remember how you made them feel.
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That’s a language everyone understands. ❤️✨
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With stories gathered from many places and words borrowed from many languages,
—Rajeshwari 🧿💕
© Nihshabd by Rajeshwari
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