Co-parent-in-law
Co-mother-in-law / co-father-in-law
My son’s mother-in-law / My daughter’s father-in-law
None of these roll off the tongue—or feel natural in conversation.
The word “balae” exists in Filipino, specifically in Tagalog. Its existence highlights something important: in traditional Filipino culture, the extended family matters. “Balae” refers to the relationship between the parents of a married couple, acknowledging that their connection continues even after the wedding bells stop ringing.
In contrast, perhaps in Western cultures, the parents of the husband and wife aren’t necessarily expected to form a long-term relationship—or to get involved in their children’s married life. (That’s just my observation, though. I’m happy to be corrected!)
When I was growing up, I often saw relatives chatting with their balae like old friends:
A: “Hoy, balae, kamusta na?” (Hey, co-parent-in-law, how are you?)
B: “Naku, balae, may problema ang ating mga anak.” (Oh no, our children have a problem.)
A: “Huwag kang mag-alala, napagsabihan ko na ang anak ko.” (Don’t worry. I’ve already talked to my child.)
B: “Ako rin, pinagsabihan ko na rin ang anak ko.” (Same here. I’ve already spoken to mine.)
A: “Ang kabataan talaga! Ang pag-aasawa ay hindi parang mainit na kanin na isusubo at kapag napaso, iluluwa na lang.” (Kids these days! Marriage isn’t like hot rice that you just shove in your mouth and spit out when it’s too hot.)
B: “Sinabi mo, balae.” (You said it, co-parent-in-law.)
Trying to use “co-parent-in-law” in this conversation feels…
robotic. The warmth, familiarity, and cultural nuance of “balae” is completely
lost. Honestly, I think we should just keep “balae” in English—the same way we
kept déjà vu (eerie feeling that you've experienced something before), boondocks
(from bundok, meaning mountains), and yo-yo (originally a Filipino toy).
Who knows? “Balae” might just catch on.
On a lighter note, maybe we could invent a new English word
for it. One funny suggestion from a co-worker was “balei” (which sounds like ballet).
Even funnier, how about:
chidadilaw /chee-da-dee-lo/ = my child’s dad-in-law
chimomilaw /chee-ma-mee-lo/ = my child’s mom-in-law
Example: “This is Susan, my chimomilaw.”
What do you think? Are we onto something?
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Related posts:
How Do You Translate "Pang-ilan ka sa magkakapatid?
What is "Binara" in English?
What is "Kilig" in English?
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