This month we publish Language Day exceptionally before the 29th. For three reasons, really. The obvious reason being that there is no 29th this month. The second reason is that on the 28th, which was to be the exceptional publication day for this month’s Language Day, is occupied by Kalevala Day - more about that later. And the third reason is that today, February 22nd 2022, is the magical day of Twos that just cannot be ignored!

And since this is the Language Day, let’s dwelve into the number two from the linguistic viewpoint. First of all, the number in different languages:

ARABIC aithanyan
CHINESE ?? 二 (èr)
DANISH ?? to
DUTCH ?? twee
ENGLISH ????????????? two
ESTONIAN ?? kaks
FINNISH ?? kaksi
FRENCH ?? deux
GERMAN ?? zwei
GREEK ?? δύο (theo)
HAWAIIAN elua
HINDI ?? दो (do)
HUNGARIAN ?? kettő
ICELANDIC ?? tveir
IRISH ?? dhá
ITALIAN ?? due
JAPANESE ?? 二 (ni)
KOREAN ?? dul 둘
LATIN duo
LATVIAN ?? divi
LITHUANIAN ?? du
NORWEGIAN ?? to
TAGALOG ?? dalawa
POLISH ?? dwa
PORTUGUESE ?? dois
RUSSIAN ?? два (dva)
SAMOA ?? lua
SPANISH ?? dos
SWAHILI mbili
SWEDISH ?? två
TURKISH ?? lki
WELSH dwy

As a counter, the noun following it is usually in plural. But not always. For example in Finnish, the number is followed by singular partitive, e.g. kaksi taloa (two houses). In Japanese, the counter is followed by various indicators depending what it is that is being counted. In Swahili the noun is in singular, followed by the number. The main rule in languages around the world is though that the plural number, in this case two, is followed by the plural form of the noun, e.g. two houses.

Then to the philosophical side of it. Number two. In Japanese, it is written with two lines facing each other horizontally. In Latin with two vertical lines.Two lines, two mirror images of each other. Both real, both reflections. If you watch yourself in the mirror, you know which is the reflection and which is the real you. But if you really watch yourself in the mirror, there is a blending of the two as you face yourself. And for a fleeting second you may become one, in real depth contact with your self.

And when you are in love, two may become, for a fleeting moment, one. The self blending into the self of the other, when guards are down and total openness occurs.

And in politics, We Are One can transcend the duality filled with conflicts, juxtapositions, threats - and war. There too it is beneficial to see yourself in the mirror. And ask yourself: who am I?

Perhaps then the duality of you can find peace.

And spread it.

Put in

the extra gear of caring.