Words are more treacherous and powerful than we think.
Jean-Paul Sartre, French philosopher(1905-1980).
Do you know that there is a thousand different way to say I love you? Without saying this phrase? You may wonder that, in each language, there are so many ways to refer to a loved one. If you are in a relationship with your partner, and you use one of these lingos as your love language. This article explains the meaning and background of three languages: Thai, English, and French. Communication and love language are inseparable because It reflects how you feel and express yourself when you are in a status of “I’m in love.”
What is the meaning of love language?
The dictionary of Cambridge defines the noun love as “the feeling of liking another adult very much and being romantically and sexually attracted to them, or strong feelings of liking a friend or person in your family1.”
Thus, a love language is a system of communication consisting of love and pure love! It is universal and has no boundaries. A language barrier doesn’t exist when it is about love. Because, in each language, there are always nouns, adjectives, phrases, and verbs to describe “love.”
When it is a whole system of communication, it doesn’t always be only a movement. Holding hands, kissing cheeks, cuddling, or sending flowers reflect admiration, passion, and devotion. But words do count and are likewise important.
© 2021 Sorada T.T. All rights reserved
Does one word affect how you feel?
Numerous scientific studies are proving that words are compelling. The German researchers said that positive vocabulary attracted more viewers and gave positive vibes2. The American researchers showed that positive and negative terms affected a deep psychological level3 and a long-term anxiety4.
Now, you understand that there is the theory of powerful words as an outcome of communication. Boost your partner’s morale by addressing a cute nickname. When you have a butterfly in the stomach, you want only to please your lover and make her or him happy.
Using cute animals to address to your partners
In Thai, English, French or other languages in this world, it is common to call your partner my panda in Thai and English or ma poule in French. Why? Because it is simply cute. Panda, koala, parrot, and rabbit are cute, aren’t they? There are no studies on why cute animals are a part of the love language. But if your partner starts calling you this, there is affection towards you. It’s an intimate expression using between two lovers.
In French culture, you can use these intimate expressions, such as ma poule, mon lapin, ma biche, ma loulou. You can say it with your close friends or your partners. However, calling a stranger ma poule is extremely rude and generates an uncomfortable moment. Avoid at all costs if you are not sure what you are doing!
Most importantly, to show family affection. It is natural to address Ma puce to a girl, daughter, niece, or granddaughter.
In Thai culture, calling your partner my koala(โคอาล่า) or my bunny(Kratay-noi: กระต่ายน้อย) shows already high level of affection. Plus, adding the adjective “little” (Noi: น้อย) makes your partner cuter. For example, my little rabbit, my little hamster, or my little parrot. When your partner calls you my lil bunny, you are jumping for joy, aren’t you?
What if my partner calls me a snake?
Presumably, you may be in a toxic relationship(Just kidding). Love language is about cuteness, joyfulness, and admiration towards one another, mutual feelings. You wouldn’t want to call your partner a reptile, would you? Unless you both are reptile lovers or have a passion for a specific type of animal. It wouldn’t be a problem if you have connections to each other and understand what you are doing.
For your information: In most cultures, calling someone a snake means a two-faced person, a stabbing-back character, or an evil human being. Snake, nguu pid(งูพิษ:Thai), serpent(French) have surprisingly the same meaning. It refers to someone who likes to stab or double-cross someone else’s back. Or called a “snitch” in an urban language.
Using only adjective to address to your partner
It doesn’t sound grammatically correct for speaking a language. But, for the love language, Thai natives love to refer to their partners(or a stranger) in one adjective. In the Thai language, an adjective deploys as a word. In French, there is ma belle. If you are foreigners who speak Thai, you may hear that one person calls another person “little(Tua lek-ตัวเล็ก),” “beautiful(Kon suay-คนสวย),” “handsome(Sood lhor-สุดหล่อ)” without a noun. These adjectives apply to someone you know well or a total stranger.
If you want to call a stranger with one adjective, choose wisely a positive adjective. Avoid, for example, “ugly” or “fatty(Auan/Tui nui: อ้วน/ตุ้ยนุ้ย).” But calling your lover “fatty” in Thai is pretty positive and acceptable in the Thai culture.
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Why is it common to use adjectives?
It is easy and practical. If you are in the Thai communities or live in Thailand, Thai people are friendly and outgoing. In the Thai language, there is no need to use formal language when speaking to strangers or someone you do not know very well. Greetings with “beautiful” or “handsome” are the best way to build a friendly environment. Please do not get offended if you come from progressive countries.
When is it not appropriate?
It depends on the situation. When you walk alone, it happens that a stranger would call you “beautiful” or “handsome.” This scenario can be qualified as catcalling or street harassment. But if you are in a market or want to buy something from street vendors, this is only a friendly gesture.
Calling someone with negative adjectives, such as horse teeth, shorty, tall, or pimple face, is offensive and rude. It may affect one person’s insecurity. Globally, in every language, these repugnant remarks are unacceptable and inappropriate.
Using foods to address to your partner
You may hear a few terms of endearment: Ma sardine, mon sucre d’orge, mon doudou en sucre, mon chou, sugar, popsicle, cupcake, and pumpkin. These are only a few selected words. Referring to your partner as food or sweet is a part of the love language. The background of these terms began in the Middle Ages. For example, Shakespeare did start with the word lambkin5.
In French and English, there are numerous words and expressions to call your loved one. In Thai, there are none. Plus, it’s super weird because Thai sweets’ names are neither adorable nor desirable(i.e., Kanom Krok(ข้าวเหนียวมะม่วง or coconut rice pancake), Kanom Buang(ขนมเบื้อง or crispy pancake), and Kanom Chun(ขนมชั้น or Thai layer dessert)). These are not the kind of cute referrals that you would call your partner, is it?
Popular nicknames for your partner
Well, unique nicknames are more of a secret code and special bonds between two souls. It is a romantic gesture, an endearment, and a proof of affection. However, few people are timid to call their beloved with particular titles. Not a single problem! There is also a traditional way to express yourself.
My love, babe, honey, my sugarboo, my boo, bébé, mon cœur, or mon amour. These terms are the words people use in real life, movies, TV series, and love songs.
Overview
Love language is all about how you desire to communicate with your partner. It does not always have to say I love you all the time. And it doesn’t always have to say it only to your lovers or partners. In French culture, you can also address those lovely nicknames to your family members.
Addressing a cute word to your partner shows that you love and care about him or her. Any detail as little as mon amour cheers up any partner even if it’s a bad day from work or else.
© 2021 Sorada T.T. All rights reserved
References
- https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/love
- Jake Miller, “The power of positive phrasing”, The Harvard Gazette, 16 December 2019, accessed 8 May 2021, https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2019/12/papers-that-use-positive-words-in-headlines-likelier-to-be-cited/
- Lindsay Horton, “The neuroscience behind our words”, Business Relationship Management Institute, 8 August 2019, accessed 8 May 2021, https://brm.institute/neuroscience-behind-words/
- Ibid.
- Dictionary.com, “10 Shakespearean Terms of Endearment”, accessed 8 May 2021, https://www.dictionary.com/e/s/shakespearean-pet-names/#chuck
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