One of the biggest regrets of my life is that I never
learned how to read and write Persian. I had a few opportunities when I was younger, but I passed
them up, thinking, “Who the hell needs to have Persian literacy in the States?”
Back then, I had the time but lacked the desire to learn it.
Now, I have the desire but lack the time to learn it.
And I wish I would’ve learned.
Because now I can’t read the great Persian poets – Ferdowsi,
Hafiz, Khayyum, Rumi, Saadi – in their original form. You can translate the
works of these poets all you want but they just don’t have the same touch in
English/any language but Persian.
Because now when I pick up a Persian magazine or newspaper,
I have to ask someone what’s written on the pages:
Because now, for matters of practicality, I can’t read the
signs here unless there’s English on them (road signs all include English, but store signs and advertisements, not so much):
I can recognize a few of the letters – such as S, B, A, and
L – and can sound out a few words – but ultimately, it’s not enough.
I will not miss being unable to read what’s around me, and I
want to learn how to read and write Persian one day.
No comments:
Post a Comment