Both five-year-old boys ran up to each other and gave each other a long hug. It wasn’t a quick or awkward hug given by strangers or acquaintances, but rather a meaningful hug. You could see the close bond they shared as one boy lifted the other off the ground so his feet were barely touching with their arms wrapped around each other. As they hugged they both said “un abbraccio” at the same time which means “a hug” in Italian. This was one of the first phrases they were finally able to communicate to each other in the same language.
Luca grew up speaking English and Italian, and Alex grew up speaking Ukrainian and Russian. Together they spoke four languages, but they couldn’t communicate in any language when they first met. Luca met Alex when he moved into his apartment building soon after the War in Ukraine broke out. The boys waved at each other smiling both eager to play with a friend who lived nearby.
Even without words the boys were able to communicate in other ways. A few days after they met Alex gave Luca one of the few toys he had brought from home. Then Luca picked out one of his toys and gave it to Alex. They bonded quickly and after a week they were running around the courtyard together, knocking on each other’s doors after school, and building legos. Every time they heard each other’s voice in the distance, they would run towards each other and embrace in a big hug. Occasionally the boys would get confused or become upset with each other and look to their moms to translate on their behalf. Even with some hiccups they managed to build a strong friendship. They communicated through hugs, giggles, and silly faces.
After a few weeks Alex started Italian school and began to pick up a few words. It was delightful to watch their language grow and see all the wonderful things they had wanted to say before but couldn’t.
Learning a new language is an extremely difficult task, but when you can use it with your best friend and finally share your feelings, jokes, and ideas, it is a very beautiful thing indeed.