18th June, 2006

(NEVER) MIND YOUR LANGUAGE!

During the week I happened to get in a game of golf – no, maybe I should rephrase that – I was on a golf course. There was an outing on, to which I had been invited as a guest. We were divided into groups of three, and I was assigned to play with two very kindly French men. I say ‘kindly’ because, among other things, they both had some amount of English, which they were braver at using than I was with my (very) limited French.

I felt that this was probably a heaven-sent opportunity to learn some of the essential French words that one needs if one is really going to live in this country. So, on the way round, in between taking lumps out of France, I sought enlightenment on “what is the French word for ‘green’, ‘tee’, ‘fairway’, ‘golf’ etc.” I was somewhat surprised to find that there were no specifically French words for these – they just used the same words as in English. Maybe I should spend more time on the golf course – at least I would be able to speak French there!

As my French class was going so well (the only reason really why I was on the golf course, you understand), I decided to try a more difficult word – what was the French word for “shot”, as in “jolly good shot, old boy”? This time they did have a distinct word for it – ‘coup’, as in ‘coup d’État’ or ‘coup de grâce’ – gave me a sense that there were ominous undertones – like when I was in Belfast and they asked “whose shot is it now?” – you hoped they were talking golf! Or maybe I should think a little more positively, as in, it would have be a little bit of a coup if I had managed to hit a good shot.

As one travels a little, and hears various languages, one thing that is becoming increasingly noticeable is the amount of words that seem to be crossing over from one language to another. It’s not just the French who have a sense of deja vu when they go to the cabaret; nor only the Italians who eat lasagne with the padre, nor only the Irish who might lynch you! But they all celebrate Corpus Christi, be in on a Thursday or a Sunday.

Our celebration of the institution of the Eucharist on Holy Thursday was very much within the overall context of the Passion, and was rightfully a solemn memorial of Jesus’ last meal with His disciples and a reflection on His departing instructions to them. Our celebration of Corpus Christi is a more festive and joyous remembrance of the same event. Our focus, rather than being on Holy Thursday, is on the reality that we still have access to this same heavenly food each time we participate in celebrating mass.