Meaning Of Tingo Part 3

In the slough of despond There are various ways to deal with feelings of despair. Either you can take a philosophical view and try to avoid the Persian concept of sanud sanud, that is, the exercise of the mind upon an unprofitable subject; or you can adopt the defeatist att.i.tude inherent in the Indonesian word jera jera, which means 'so scared by a past experience that one will never want to do it again'. Or you can take refuge in k.u.mmerspeck k.u.mmerspeck, a German word that describes the excess weight you will gain from emotion-related overeating (literally, grief bacon).

Seeing red Therapists would suggest it's better out than in: mukamuka (j.a.panese) feeling so angry one feels like throwing up (j.a.panese) feeling so angry one feels like throwing upgeragas (Malay) to comb one's hair in anger (Malay) to comb one's hair in angerfeau (Samoan) to recall good deeds done when one is angry (Samoan) to recall good deeds done when one is angryOn reflection

Survival instincts Even though some languages are vanis.h.i.+ng, in a world less hospitable to aboriginal peoples and more swamped by English, this does not mean it's impossible to keep endangered languages alive. Mohawk, for instance, spoken by indigenous groups in Quebec, was in retreat until the 1970s, when it was first codified and then taught to children in schools. Welsh and Maori have both made a comeback with concerted official help; and Navajo (USA), Hawaiian and several languages spoken in remote parts of Botswana have been artifically revived. Iceland has managed to keep alive its native tongue, even though it is spoken by no more than 275,000 people; and the ancient Nordic language of Faroese, thought to have been once spoken by the Vikings, was preserved from extinction by the Danish government, who even went as far as putting grammar hints and verb declensions on the sides of milk cartons.A powerful political purpose is another force for reviving an old language. Resurgent nationalism helped bring Irish back from the Celtic twilight; while the establishment of the nation of Israel has turned Hebrew from a written language into a proudly spoken national tongue.

Falling in Love

nam gawa the wei woe lu yoe;phung dang si yang they nang yoe(Dzongkha, Bhutan)fun and pleasure are located below thenavel; dispute and trouble are alsofound there

The language of love In English the language of love is, metaphorically speaking, a violent and disorientating one: we fall in love, are love struck and struggle to avoid heartbreak. It seems things are the same throughout the world: harawata o tatsu (j.a.panese) to break one's heart (literally, to sever one's intestines) (j.a.panese) to break one's heart (literally, to sever one's intestines)coup de foudre (French) love at first sight (literally, a flash of lightning) (French) love at first sight (literally, a flash of lightning)mune o kogasu (j.a.panese) to pine away (literally, to scorch one's chest) (j.a.panese) to pine away (literally, to scorch one's chest)tragado como media de cartero (Colombian Spanish) being hopelessly in love (literally, swallowed like a postman's sock) (Colombian Spanish) being hopelessly in love (literally, swallowed like a postman's sock)

The rules of attraction...

Physical beauty is often the starting point for love: pichon (Caribbean Spanish) a handsome young man (literally, young pigeon) (Caribbean Spanish) a handsome young man (literally, young pigeon)qiubo (Chinese) the bright and clear eyes of a beautiful woman (Chinese) the bright and clear eyes of a beautiful womanmahj (Persian) looking beautiful after a disease (Persian) looking beautiful after a diseaseavoir la frite (French) to be in great shape (literally, to have the French fry) (French) to be in great shape (literally, to have the French fry)magandang hinaharap (Tagalog, Philippines) nice b.r.e.a.s.t.s (literally, nice future) (Tagalog, Philippines) nice b.r.e.a.s.t.s (literally, nice future)dayadrsti (Hindi) compa.s.sionate eyes (Hindi) compa.s.sionate eyeskemayu (Indonesian) to act like a beauty (Indonesian) to act like a beauty Sometimes the basic materials need a little a.s.sistance: slampadato (Italian) a person who gets tanned with an infrared lamp (Italian) a person who gets tanned with an infrared lampzhengrong (Chinese) to tidy oneself up or to improve one's looks by plastic surgery (Chinese) to tidy oneself up or to improve one's looks by plastic surgery

... and of repulsion The j.a.panese have a particular word for a situation in which attraction is all too brief. Bakku-shan Bakku-shan is a girl who appears pretty when seen from behind but not from the front. is a girl who appears pretty when seen from behind but not from the front.

Would like to meet English is somewhat deficient in words that describe the very early moments of attraction. We need a word like mamihlapinatapei mamihlapinatapei, from the Fuegian language found in Chile, meaning that shared look of longing where both parties know the score yet neither is willing to make the first move. Other, more active approaches include: basabasa (Arabic) to ogle, make sheep's eyes, cast amorous glances (Arabic) to ogle, make sheep's eyes, cast amorous glancespiropo (Spanish) a compliment paid on the street (which ranges from polite to raunchy) (Spanish) a compliment paid on the street (which ranges from polite to raunchy)xiyyet (Dardja, Algeria) he is sewing (this is said of someone who is trying to win over a girl, especially by talking) (Dardja, Algeria) he is sewing (this is said of someone who is trying to win over a girl, especially by talking)pulir hebillas (Spanish, Central America) to polish belt buckles (to dance very closely) (Spanish, Central America) to polish belt buckles (to dance very closely)

The direct approach The Italians are masters at taking matters to the next level: pomicione pomicione is a man who seeks any chance of being in close physical contact with a woman; is a man who seeks any chance of being in close physical contact with a woman; puntare puntare is to stare intensely at the one to whom one feels s.e.xually attracted; while is to stare intensely at the one to whom one feels s.e.xually attracted; while tirino tirino is the sound made by smacking one's lips together like a loud kiss to indicate attraction. Sometimes a boy will say is the sound made by smacking one's lips together like a loud kiss to indicate attraction. Sometimes a boy will say cibi cierre cibi cierre to a girl ( to a girl (CBCR). This is an acronym of cresci bene che ripa.s.so cresci bene che ripa.s.so: 'if you still look like that when you've grown up, I will come and pay you a call'...

Diner a un ... while the French have perfected the art of rejection: poser un lapin a quelqu'un to stand someone up (literally, to lay a rabbit on someone) to stand someone up (literally, to lay a rabbit on someone)Saint-Glinglin a date that is put off indefinitely ( a date that is put off indefinitely (jusqu' a la Saint-Glinglin means never in a month of Sundays) means never in a month of Sundays)

j.a.panese dating Rainen no kono hi mo issho ni waratteiyoh is one of the country's most successful chat-up lines; it means 'this time next year let's be laughing together'. is one of the country's most successful chat-up lines; it means 'this time next year let's be laughing together'.

Commitment-phobe The romantic ideal is Einfuhlungsvermogen Einfuhlungsvermogen, the German word for an understanding so intimate that the feelings, thoughts and motives of one person are readily comprehended by the other; but the route to that happy state can so often be confused by the insincere: biodegradabile (Italian) someone who falls in love easily and often (Italian) someone who falls in love easily and oftencapkinlasmak (Turkish) to turn into a skirt chaser (Turkish) to turn into a skirt chaserleonera (Spanish, Central America) a bachelor pad (literally, a lion's den) (Spanish, Central America) a bachelor pad (literally, a lion's den)vieux marcheur (French) an elderly man who still chases women (literally, an old campaigner) (French) an elderly man who still chases women (literally, an old campaigner)

False friends n.o.b (Wolof, Gambia and Senegal) to love (Wolof, Gambia and Senegal) to lovecity (Czech) feelings (Czech) feelingsdating (Chinese) to ask about, enquire (Chinese) to ask about, enquirebaron (French) sugar daddy (French) sugar daddyagony (Rasta Patois) sensations felt during s.e.x (Rasta Patois) sensations felt during s.e.xbonk (Afrikaans) lump or thump (Afrikaans) lump or thumpsong (Vietnamese) to live life (Vietnamese) to live life

Affairs of the heart When things can go so sweetly...

alamnaka (Ulwa, Nicaragua) to find one's niche, to meet a kindred soul (Ulwa, Nicaragua) to find one's niche, to meet a kindred soulpelar la pava (Caribbean Spanish) to be alone romancing one's sweetheart (literally, to pluck a female turkey) (Caribbean Spanish) to be alone romancing one's sweetheart (literally, to pluck a female turkey)andare in camporella (Italian) to go into a secluded spot in the countryside to make love (Italian) to go into a secluded spot in the countryside to make lovehiza o majieru (j.a.panese) to have an intimate talk (literally, to mingle each other's knees) (j.a.panese) to have an intimate talk (literally, to mingle each other's knees)queesting (Dutch) allowing a lover access to one's bed under the covers for chit-chat (Dutch) allowing a lover access to one's bed under the covers for chit-chatghalidan (Persian) to move from side to side as lovers, to roll, wallow or tumble (Persian) to move from side to side as lovers, to roll, wallow or tumble ... how can they be so bitter at the end?

aki ga tatsu (j.a.panese) a mutual cooling of love (literally, the autumn breeze begins to blow) (j.a.panese) a mutual cooling of love (literally, the autumn breeze begins to blow)razblyuto (Russian) the feeling for someone once but no longer loved (Russian) the feeling for someone once but no longer loveddejar con el paquete (Spanish) abandoning a woman one has made pregnant (literally, to drop with the parcel) (Spanish) abandoning a woman one has made pregnant (literally, to drop with the parcel)plaque (French) dumped (literally, laid flat or rugby-tackled) (French) dumped (literally, laid flat or rugby-tackled)cavoli riscaldati (Italian) an attempt to revive a lapsed love affair (literally, reheated cabbage) (Italian) an attempt to revive a lapsed love affair (literally, reheated cabbage)

Reality check The Boro people of India have a sophisticated understanding of the complexities of loving: onsay onsay means to pretend to love; means to pretend to love; ongubsy ongubsy means to love deeply, from the heart; and means to love deeply, from the heart; and onsia onsia signifies loving for the very last time. signifies loving for the very last time.

Love for sale Who better than the pragmatic French to construct a precise terminology for love as a business, ranging from a pa.s.se raide pa.s.se raide, the basic price for a s.e.x session, to the kangourou kangourou, a prospective client who hesitates (hops around) before deciding on a girl. When it comes to those who ply their trade, there are many equally specific terms. An escaladeuse de braguette escaladeuse de braguette is, literally a zipper climber; a is, literally a zipper climber; a beguineuse beguineuse is an unreliable prost.i.tute; a is an unreliable prost.i.tute; a wagonniere wagonniere is a woman who solicits on trains; a is a woman who solicits on trains; a truqueur truqueur means a rentboy who blackmails his clients; while a means a rentboy who blackmails his clients; while a cocotte-minute cocotte-minute is a pro who turns many tricks very quickly (literally, a pressure cooker). There is even an expression, is a pro who turns many tricks very quickly (literally, a pressure cooker). There is even an expression, commencer a rendre la monnaie commencer a rendre la monnaie, to show signs of age, which is said of prost.i.tutes who in better days didn't have to give change for large notes.

Let's talk about s.e.x The Mosuo people in China have three sacred taboos: it's forbidden to eat dog, to eat cat and to talk about s.e.x. The latter taboo doesn't seem to apply elsewhere: avoir la moule qui baille (French) to be h.o.r.n.y (literally, to have a yawning mussel) (French) to be h.o.r.n.y (literally, to have a yawning mussel)menggerumut (Indonesian) to approach somebody quietly in the night for s.e.x (Indonesian) to approach somebody quietly in the night for s.e.xjalishgar (Persian) to be addicted to s.e.xual intercourse (Persian) to be addicted to s.e.xual intercoursecarezza (Italian) s.e.xual intercourse in which e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.n is avoided (literally, caressing or petting) (Italian) s.e.xual intercourse in which e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.n is avoided (literally, caressing or petting)

p.e.n.i.s dialogues There are many ways to describe le pet.i.t chauve au col roule le pet.i.t chauve au col roule (French), the little baldy in a turtleneck, and the respect with which he's treated: (French), the little baldy in a turtleneck, and the respect with which he's treated: narachastra prayoga (Sanskrit) men who wors.h.i.+p their own s.e.xual organ (Sanskrit) men who wors.h.i.+p their own s.e.xual organenfundarla (Spanish) to put one's p.e.n.i.s back in one's pants (or one's sword back in its sheath) (Spanish) to put one's p.e.n.i.s back in one's pants (or one's sword back in its sheath)zakilpistola (Basque) a sufferer from premature e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.n (literally, pistol p.r.i.c.k) (Basque) a sufferer from premature e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.n (literally, pistol p.r.i.c.k)koro (j.a.panese) the hysterical belief that one's p.e.n.i.s is shrinking into one's body (j.a.panese) the hysterical belief that one's p.e.n.i.s is shrinking into one's bodycamisa-de-venus (Brazilian Portuguese) a condom (literally, s.h.i.+rt of Venus) (Brazilian Portuguese) a condom (literally, s.h.i.+rt of Venus) The Tagalog speakers of the Philippines take things further with the batuta ni Drakula batuta ni Drakula ('Dracula's nightstick'). Added s.e.xual pleasure can be gained from ('Dracula's nightstick'). Added s.e.xual pleasure can be gained from pilik-mata ng kambing pilik-mata ng kambing (goat's eyelashes) or (goat's eyelashes) or bulitas bulitas (small plastic b.a.l.l.s surgically implanted to enlarge the p.e.n.i.ses of young Filipinos). (small plastic b.a.l.l.s surgically implanted to enlarge the p.e.n.i.ses of young Filipinos).

s.e.x for one...

The vocabulary is no less specialized when it comes to what the Italians describe as a.s.solo a.s.solo, a solo performance. Up-retiree-hue Up-retiree-hue (Rapa Nui, Easter Islands) is to touch one's p.e.n.i.s with the intention of masturbating, while the j.a.panese have several graphic terms for the experience. Male masturbation is referred to as (Rapa Nui, Easter Islands) is to touch one's p.e.n.i.s with the intention of masturbating, while the j.a.panese have several graphic terms for the experience. Male masturbation is referred to as senzuri senzuri (a thousand rubs), with the added refinement of (a thousand rubs), with the added refinement of masu-kagami masu-kagami (masturbating in front of a mirror). Female masturbation, by contrast, is described as (masturbating in front of a mirror). Female masturbation, by contrast, is described as s.h.i.+ko s.h.i.+ko manzuri s.h.i.+ko s.h.i.+ko manzuri (ten thousand rubs) and (ten thousand rubs) and suichi o ireru suichi o ireru (flicking the switch). (flicking the switch).

... and for many Similar sensations can be experienced in company: partousard (French) a partic.i.p.ator in group s.e.x (French) a partic.i.p.ator in group s.e.xmovimento (Italian) a circle of acquaintances who are actual or potential s.e.xual partners (Italian) a circle of acquaintances who are actual or potential s.e.xual partnersagapemone (Greek) an establishment where free love is practised (Greek) an establishment where free love is practisedsacanagem (Brazilian Portuguese) the practice of openly seeking s.e.xual pleasure with one or more partners other than one's primary partner (during Mardi Gras) (Brazilian Portuguese) the practice of openly seeking s.e.xual pleasure with one or more partners other than one's primary partner (during Mardi Gras)

Pacific holiday On the islands of Ulithi in the Western Pacific, the Micronesian people like to take a holiday from their regular lovemaking. Pi supuhui Pi supuhui (literally, a hundred pettings) describes a holiday dedicated to mate-swapping. People pair up and go into the woods to share a picnic and make love. Married couples are not allowed to go together and the selection of new partners is encouraged. If there is an unequal number of partic.i.p.ants, some couples may become threesomes. (literally, a hundred pettings) describes a holiday dedicated to mate-swapping. People pair up and go into the woods to share a picnic and make love. Married couples are not allowed to go together and the selection of new partners is encouraged. If there is an unequal number of partic.i.p.ants, some couples may become threesomes.

The desired result or the result of desire The French have a charming expression for this: voir les anges voir les anges, which means to see angels.

Thumbs up On reflectionGestures should be used carefully when abroad for fear of misunderstandings. The cheery thumbs-up used by the English or Americans means 'up yours' in the Middle East and 'sit on this' in Sardinia. In France, pressing a thumb against the fingertips means something is ooh-la-la parfait ooh-la-la parfait or just right, while in Egypt, the same gesture means 'stop right there'. or just right, while in Egypt, the same gesture means 'stop right there'.An American's sign for 'okay', made by touching the tip of the thumb to the tip of the forefinger, and used internationally by scuba divers, is an insult in Brazil. In some countries, the V sign can be negative, in others positive; in Italy, reversed, it approximates to 'to h.e.l.l with you'. In some countries, flicking your thumb across the teeth tells the other person he's a cheapskate. Just about everywhere grabbing the crook of your elbow and raising your fist is rude. In the Arab world, the middle finger pointed downwards and moving up and down, with the palm horizontal, equates to a raised middle finger in England.

The Family Circle

bu yin, bu long, bu cheng gu gong (Chinese)unless one pretends to be stupid or deafit is difficult to be a mother-in-law or father-in-law

Getting hitched There comes a point, in most societies, where a relations.h.i.+p is formalized in law. As the Romanians say: dragostea e oarb, dar cstoria ii gsete leacul dragostea e oarb, dar cstoria ii gsete leacul, love is blind, but marriage finds a cure: strga (Bulgarian) a survey or visit to the home of a prospective bride (Bulgarian) a survey or visit to the home of a prospective bridek.u.moru aluweik (Khowar, Pakistan) to lure a girl into marriage (Khowar, Pakistan) to lure a girl into marriagelobola (Manu Bantu, Zaire) the bride price (which is usually paid in cattle) (Manu Bantu, Zaire) the bride price (which is usually paid in cattle)casa.r.s.e de penalti (Spanish) to get married after discovering a pregnancy (Spanish) to get married after discovering a pregnancydar el braguetazo (Spanish) the marriage of a poor man to a rich woman (Spanish) the marriage of a poor man to a rich womanskeinkjari (Faroese, Denmark) the man who goes among wedding guests offering them alcohol ('that popular chap') (Faroese, Denmark) the man who goes among wedding guests offering them alcohol ('that popular chap')

Trouble and strife Does one always live happily ever after? The evidence of our global languages suggests that it's not always the case: desortija.r.s.e (Caribbean Spanish) to return the engagement ring (Caribbean Spanish) to return the engagement ringkotsuniku no araso (j.a.panese) domestic strife (literally, the fight between bones and flesh) (j.a.panese) domestic strife (literally, the fight between bones and flesh)ava (Tahitian) wife (but it also means whisky) (Tahitian) wife (but it also means whisky)pelotilla (Caribbean Spanish) argument among spouses (Caribbean Spanish) argument among spousesainolektros (Ancient Greek) fatally wedded (Ancient Greek) fatally weddedtalik (Malay) to marry with the stipulation of automatic divorce for a husband's desertion (Malay) to marry with the stipulation of automatic divorce for a husband's desertionrujuk (Indonesian) to remarry the wife you've already divorced (Indonesian) to remarry the wife you've already divorced

Yang Sometimes, the man is clearly to blame when things go wrong (with the emphasis on infidelity, desertion and gambling): pu'ukaula (Hawaiian) to set up one's wife as a stake in gambling (Hawaiian) to set up one's wife as a stake in gamblingqum'us (Persian) one who pimps his own wife (Persian) one who pimps his own wifetalak (Arabic) a husband who frees himself from his wife (Arabic) a husband who frees himself from his wifeagunah (Hebrew) a woman whose husband has deserted her or has disappeared and who is restrained from remarrying until she shows a bill of divorce or proof of his death (Hebrew) a woman whose husband has deserted her or has disappeared and who is restrained from remarrying until she shows a bill of divorce or proof of his deathbawusni (Persian) a wife whose husband does not love her and seldom visits (Persian) a wife whose husband does not love her and seldom visits

Yin At other times the fault lies with the woman (with the emphasis on laziness, bullying and antipathy): farik (Persian) a woman who hates her husband (Persian) a woman who hates her husbandjefa (Caribbean Spanish) a domineering wife (Caribbean Spanish) a domineering wifes.h.i.+ri ni s.h.i.+kareru (j.a.panese) a husband who is under his wife's thumb (literally, under her b.u.t.tocks) (j.a.panese) a husband who is under his wife's thumb (literally, under her b.u.t.tocks)polohana'ole (Hawaiian) a woman who refuses to work but lives on her husband's earnings (Hawaiian) a woman who refuses to work but lives on her husband's earningsbaulero (Caribbean Spanish) a henpecked husband who cannot go out alone (Caribbean Spanish) a henpecked husband who cannot go out alonepurik (Indonesian) to return to one's parents' home as a protest against one's husband (Indonesian) to return to one's parents' home as a protest against one's husband

Family matters Once married, man and wife may find that their greatest problem is getting enough time alone. Extending the family can work both ways: bol (Mayan, Mexico) foolish in-laws (Mayan, Mexico) foolish in-lawssitike (Apache, USA) in-laws who are formally committed to help during crises (Apache, USA) in-laws who are formally committed to help during crisestodamane (Tulu, India) entertaining a son-in-law or mother-in-law for the first time (Tulu, India) entertaining a son-in-law or mother-in-law for the first timebruja (Spanish, South America) a mother-in-law (literally, a witch) (Spanish, South America) a mother-in-law (literally, a witch)biras (Malay) the relations.h.i.+p between two brothers' wives or two sisters' husbands (Malay) the relations.h.i.+p between two brothers' wives or two sisters' husbands

Chercher la femme?

When it comes to the family unit being threatened, why is there is no such thing as an homme fatal homme fatal? Caribbean Spanish differentiates between a woman who prefers married men (comadreja, literally, a weasel) and one who lures them into extramarital relations.h.i.+ps (ciegamachos). Can it really be that women are more predatory than men? Or is it that by luridly painting women as l.u.s.tful (aa'amo in Hawaiian means 'an insatiable woman') and conniving ( in Hawaiian means 'an insatiable woman') and conniving (alghunjar is Persian for the feigned anger of a mistress), men the world over have cleverly avoided any blame for their own adulterous behaviour? Even when they're guilty, they try to keep the linguistic upper hand, if the German word is Persian for the feigned anger of a mistress), men the world over have cleverly avoided any blame for their own adulterous behaviour? Even when they're guilty, they try to keep the linguistic upper hand, if the German word Drachenfutter Drachenfutter is anything to go by. Literally translated as 'dragon fodder' it describes the peace offerings that guilty husbands offer their spouses. is anything to go by. Literally translated as 'dragon fodder' it describes the peace offerings that guilty husbands offer their spouses.

One cure for adultery Rhaphanidosis was a punishment meted out to adulterous men by cuckolded husbands in Ancient Greece. It involved inserting a radish up their backside. was a punishment meted out to adulterous men by cuckolded husbands in Ancient Greece. It involved inserting a radish up their backside.

An avuncular solution The Western ideal of a monogamous husband and wife is not universal. There is, for example, no word for father in Mosuo (China). The nearest translation for a male parental figure is axia axia, which means friend or lover; and while a child will have only one mother, he or she might have a sequence of axia axia. An axia axia has a series of night-time trysts with a woman, after which he returns home to his mother. Any children resulting from these liaisons are raised in the woman's household. There are no fathers, husbands or marriages in Mosuo society. Brothers take care of their sisters' children and act as their fathers. Brothers and sisters live together all their lives in their mothers' homes. has a series of night-time trysts with a woman, after which he returns home to his mother. Any children resulting from these liaisons are raised in the woman's household. There are no fathers, husbands or marriages in Mosuo society. Brothers take care of their sisters' children and act as their fathers. Brothers and sisters live together all their lives in their mothers' homes.

Polygamy on ice Other societies replace the complexities of monogamy with those of polygamy, as, for example, the Inuit of the Arctic: angutawkun a man who exchanges wives with another man or one of the men who have at different times been married to the same woman a man who exchanges wives with another man or one of the men who have at different times been married to the same womanareodjarekput to exchange wives for a few days only, allowing a man s.e.xual rights to his woman during that period to exchange wives for a few days only, allowing a man s.e.xual rights to his woman during that periodnuliinuaroak sharing the same woman; more specifically, the relations.h.i.+p between a man and his wife's lover when the husband has not consented to the arrangement sharing the same woman; more specifically, the relations.h.i.+p between a man and his wife's lover when the husband has not consented to the arrangement

False friends dad (Albanian) wet nurse or babysitter (Albanian) wet nurse or babysitterbabe (SiSwati, Swaziland) father or minister (SiSwati, Swaziland) father or ministermama (Georgian) father (Georgian) fatherbrat (Russian) brother (Russian) brotherparents (Portuguese) relatives (Portuguese) relativesloo (Fulani, Mali) storage pot (Fulani, Mali) storage potbang (Albanian) paper bag (Albanian) paper bagsin (Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian) son (Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian) son

Special relations Whether it's because they have big families, time on their hands in large empty s.p.a.ces, or for another reason, the Sami people of Northern Scandinavia have highly specific terms for family members and relations.h.i.+ps: goaski goaski are one's mother's elder sisters, and are one's mother's elder sisters, and sivjjot sivjjot is one's older sister's husband; one's mother's younger sisters are is one's older sister's husband; one's mother's younger sisters are muotta muotta and one's father's younger sisters are and one's father's younger sisters are siessa siessa; one's mother's brothers are eanu eanu and her brothers' wives are and her brothers' wives are ipmi ipmi; one's brother's wife is a mangi mangi. The nearby Swedes exhibit a similar subtlety in their terms for grandfathers and grandmothers: farfar farfar is a father's father, is a father's father, morfar morfar is a mother's father, is a mother's father, farmor farmor is a father's mother and is a father's mother and mormor mormor is a mother's mother. is a mother's mother.

This pattern of precise names for individual family members had a parallel in an older society. Latin distinguished patruus patruus (father's brother) from (father's brother) from avunculus avunculus (mother's brother); and (mother's brother); and matertera matertera (father's sister) from (father's sister) from amita amita (mother's sister). (mother's sister).

Of even earlier origins, the Australian Kamilaroi nganuwaay nganuwaay means a mother's cross-cousin's daughter and also a mother's father's sister's daughter as well as a mother's mother's brother's daughter's daughter as well as a mother's mother's brother's son's daughter. means a mother's cross-cousin's daughter and also a mother's father's sister's daughter as well as a mother's mother's brother's daughter's daughter as well as a mother's mother's brother's son's daughter.

Tahitian taio Meanwhile, in the warm climate of Tahiti, the word taio taio (Maohi, French Polynesia) means a formal friends.h.i.+p between people not related by ancestors, which involves the sharing of everything, even s.e.x partners. A (Maohi, French Polynesia) means a formal friends.h.i.+p between people not related by ancestors, which involves the sharing of everything, even s.e.x partners. A taio taio relations.h.i.+p can be male-to-male, female-to-female or male-to-female. relations.h.i.+p can be male-to-male, female-to-female or male-to-female.

Essential issue Language testifies to the importance most cultures attach to having children, as well as the mixed emotions the little darlings bring with them. Yiddish, for example, details both extremes of the parental experience, nakhes nakhes being the mixture of pleasure and pride a parent gets from a child, and being the mixture of pleasure and pride a parent gets from a child, and tsuris tsuris the grief and trouble: the grief and trouble: izraf (Persian) producing ingenious, witty children (Persian) producing ingenious, witty childrenniyoga (Hindi) the practice of appointing a woman to bear a male heir who will be conceived by proxy (Hindi) the practice of appointing a woman to bear a male heir who will be conceived by proxymenguyel-uyel (Indonesian) to hug, cuddle and tickle someone (usually a child) as an expression of affection (Indonesian) to hug, cuddle and tickle someone (usually a child) as an expression of affectiongosh-pech (Persian) twisting the ears of a schoolboy as a punishment (Persian) twisting the ears of a schoolboy as a punishmentabtar (Persian) one who has no offspring; a loser (literally, a bucket without a handle) (Persian) one who has no offspring; a loser (literally, a bucket without a handle)

Parental ambitions In contrast with the paternal indulgence of the French fils a papa fils a papa (a son whose father makes things very easy for him) are some stricter maternal leanings: (a son whose father makes things very easy for him) are some stricter maternal leanings: kyoik.u.mama (j.a.panese) a woman who crams her children to succeed educationally (j.a.panese) a woman who crams her children to succeed educationallyciegayernos (Caribbean Spanish) a woman who looks for a husband for her daughter (Caribbean Spanish) a woman who looks for a husband for her daughtermammismo (Italian) maternal control and interference that continues into adulthood (Italian) maternal control and interference that continues into adulthood

Home is where the heart is Not everyone lives in a standard box-like house: berhane (Turkish) an impractically large mansion, rambling house (Turkish) an impractically large mansion, rambling houseangase (Tulu, India) a building where the front part is used as a shop and the back as a residence (Tulu, India) a building where the front part is used as a shop and the back as a residencevidhvasram (Hindi) a home for widows (Hindi) a home for widows And rooms have many uses: Folterkammer (German) a gym or exercise room (literally, a torture chamber) (German) a gym or exercise room (literally, a torture chamber)ori (Khakas, Siberia) a hole in a yurt to store potatoes (Khakas, Siberia) a hole in a yurt to store potatoestyconna (Anglo-Indian) an Indian bas.e.m.e.nt room where the hottest part of the day is pa.s.sed in the hottest season of the year (Anglo-Indian) an Indian bas.e.m.e.nt room where the hottest part of the day is pa.s.sed in the hottest season of the yearvomitarium (Latin) a room where a guest threw up in order to empty his stomach for more feasting (Latin) a room where a guest threw up in order to empty his stomach for more feasting

Buk.u.matala In the Kiriwinian language of New Guinea a buk.u.matala buk.u.matala is a 'young people's house', where adolescents go to stay on reaching p.u.b.erty. As the main aim is to keep brothers and sisters away from the possibility of incestuous s.e.xual contact close relatives will never stay in the same house. The boys return to the parental home for food and may help with the household work; the girls eat, work and occasionally sleep at home, but will generally spend the night with their adolescent sweethearts in one is a 'young people's house', where adolescents go to stay on reaching p.u.b.erty. As the main aim is to keep brothers and sisters away from the possibility of incestuous s.e.xual contact close relatives will never stay in the same house. The boys return to the parental home for food and may help with the household work; the girls eat, work and occasionally sleep at home, but will generally spend the night with their adolescent sweethearts in one buk.u.matala buk.u.matala or another. or another.

On reflection