Between the Words | She Grew Up Speaking Two Languages. Then She Lost the Words for Her Own Pain.

Send us Fan Mail What does it sound like when a language has a word for something yours has never even tried to name? This is Between the Words — a language-focused segment clipped from Episode 27 of From Where to Here. Sheyla from Blitar, East Java, Indonesia teaches us five words and concepts from Bahasa Indonesia and Javanese that reveal something profound about Indonesian culture. Maaf — the word for sorry that you never say just once. You repeat it until the situation moves on, and the person across from you keeps saying it is okay until the conversation finds its way forward. Bhinneka Tunggal Ika — Indonesia's national motto in old Javanese, meaning unity in diversity. Thousands of islands. Hundreds of tribes. One nation that found it was stronger together. Baper — a combination of Bawa (to carry) and Perasaan (feelings). A word for someone who is too invested, too emotional, carrying too much. A word English does not have but absolutely should. Ngabuburit — a Javanese word for the act of doing nothing while waiting to break your fast during Ramadan. One word for a very specific, very human moment. Terima Kasih — thank you. Simple. But paired with the story of a girl who could not find the words for depression in any language she grew up with, it lands differently. Sheyla also shares what it felt like to navigate three languages at once as a teenager in Memphis, why she eventually stopped expressing herself emotionally in Indonesian and Javanese, and what it means to lose connection to a language because the people around you could not hold what you were trying to say. This one is about more than words. It is about what happens when the language you need does not exist in the one you were born into. Parts 1 and 2 of Episode 27 are linked below. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you stream. ---------- 🏆 You can help From Where to Here win a Signal Award Voting is open until October 15th and takes 30 seconds. If this show has ever made you feel a little less alone, cast your vote at https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/ (Can't find the show? Search "From Where to Here" in the search bar) 📩 Let’s stay connected. Join my email list list for thoughtful reflections, resources, and behind-the-scenes moments I only share there. ✨ Get My Latest Free Resource Do you live between cultures, languages, or versions of yourself? Take the free In-Between Index quiz and find out exactly where you land. → quiz.fromwheretoherepod.com 🎧 Subscribe & Follow Follow From Where to Here on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen so you don’t miss a conversation. 📱 More language & culture, daily. Find me on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook @fromwheretoherepod 🤎 If this episode meant something to you… Leave a review or share it with someone who’d love it too.