Today, one of my co-workers asked me if I knew the English
word for “balae.” I did some quick research
and there is none. The closest terms we can use are
- Co-parent-in-law
- Co-mother-in-law
- Co-father-in-law
- My son’s father/mother-in-law
- My daughter’s father/mother-in-law
In Filipino, specifically in Tagalog, we have the word “balae.”
The fact that such a term exists is proof that the extended family is important
in traditional Filipino culture. “Balae” indicates that the relationship
between the parents of both the husband and wife is significant. Perhaps in Western culture, parents of the
husband and wife are not really expected to form a strong bond, a long-term relationship
or they are not expected to be really involved in the married life of their
children. However, I am just speculating so please correct me if I am wrong.
When I was growing up, I often witnessed my relatives interact
with their “balae.”
A: “Hoy, balae,
kamusta na?’
B: “Naku, balae, may
problema ang ating mga anak.”
A: “Huwag kang
mag-alala, napagsabihan ko na ang anak ko.”
B: “Ako rin,
pinagsabihan ko na rin ang anak ko.”
A: “Ang kabataan
talaga! Ang pag-aasawa ay hindi parang mainit na kanin na bigla na lang isusubo
at kapag napaso ay bigla na lang iluluwa.”
B: “Sinabi mo balae.”
Being an unorthodox English teacher, perhaps it is time to
create a new English word for “balae.” One funny suggestion from a co-worker
was “balei” (sounds like ballet).
How about “chidadilaw”
/chee-da-dee-lo/ and “chimomilaw” /chee-ma-mee-lo/, which are the shortened versions of “my child’s
dad-in-law” and “my child’s
mom-in-law” respectively.
Example: "This is Susan, my chimomilaw."
What do you think?
Hahahaha! I laughed at chimomilaw when I said it aloud to myself. XD It sounds very exotic but I also think that they should try to make a word for it in English.
ReplyDeleteI need exact meaning of balae in english.
ReplyDeleteWe stick with the original "balae" so that other nationalities would be awed by its richness of meaning though only 5 letters. How they would pronounce it? Just like any Tagalog-speaking person would utter it. Let us propagate "balae" to make it to the international foreign word.
ReplyDelete