To speak a language is to take on a world, a culture. — Frantz Fanon
Two thousand one hundred and nine days ago, or around Wednesday, August 26, 2020, I decided to lock into a consistent daily language practice. Yet the conversation that literally changed my entire life happened nearly ten years ago.
(Good morning, Good Tea People! Thank you for stopping by again and welcome to all of the new Straight From the Leaf readers. I’ve already had my morning bowl of matcha, so I’ll prepare some sublime purple oolong while you get ready to settle in for our conversation. Wait, you’ve never tried purple oolong? That’s another conversation. Let’s focus on this one for now.)
Dance Is Language
Dance translates movement through our bodies that words sometimes fail to express. Dance is a language and its various forms — West African, Afro-Brazilian, House, Soul Line Dancing — are vocabulary we study to become more fluent in our expression. As a student, I look for teachers who can help me deepen and expand my knowledge.
(Shout out to all of the dance instructors I have had past, present and future! Your love and your dedication to the craft continues to leave a legacy in this student.)
Teachers transform lives. Like most life altering events, it started with a one simple action. One day after Afro-Brazilian dance class my teacher Joya Powell said I needed to learn more Brazilian Portuguese so we both could speak and have conversations outside of the classroom. She suggested Duolingo because it was free. Obrigada por tudo (Thank YOU for everything)!
I decided to create an account, learn Brazilian Portuguese, and, one day, visit Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. I still marvel at my having achieved all three goals in this lifetime!
(Good Tea People, my first trip to Salvador deserves its own post. Please allow me to pause a few moments and raise my cup towards Bahia, Dandha da Hora and her most beautiful people.)
Dance Begins with One Step
What do most of these languages have in common? These languages are spoken in tea-producing countries.
Words travel. Words are the containers we use to go places. In my experience, my words have literally opened doors across the world and continue to create the life of my dreams.
Dance Requires Practice for Improvement
There is a difference between learning a language and becoming fluent. Fluency comes from consistent practice. Like dance, there is a difference between learning the choreography and allowing our bodies to become one with movement. We practice to create the muscle memory so we can flow in and through the expression.
The more we practice, mistakes and all, the better we flow.
Cups Up Conclusion
Start where you are — today.
Expect mistakes — they are a necessary part of the learning process.
Keep coming back — and celebrate the progress.
I am motivated to see just how many of the more than 30 tea-producing nations in Africa and Asia I will explore in-person. I plan to show up being able to respect the leaf, the people and the culture by using the language. I plan to celebrate by dancing.
If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart. — Nelson Mandela
If you decide to take the first step towards learning another language, please feel free to follow me on Duolingo (I do not receive any compensation).
Cups up! #DrinkTea #DanceIsLanguage