On translating Julianese....

When Julia started talking, as I would drive her to my parents early in the morning, she'd say "Mama die!"

Me, being completely rationale at 6:45 in the A.M. and being a behavior analyst and educator for many years, would freak out and go "What?! What?! Julia what did you say?! Mama die?!" And Julia would happily munch on her seat belt strap, smile widely with her toothy grin and repeat proudly "Mama die!"

I would then continue the drive for the next 5 minutes with my mind running with, "OH MY GOD! She wants me to die! Or maybe she's predicting my death?! Maybe she's a psychic child...oh my god! Why does she want me to die?! WHAT THE HELL IS SHE SAYING!?!? How does she know the word die?!! Oh my god, someone WANTS ME TO DIE!"

Yeah. Seriously. That was me. Eventually, the thoughts would fade out and I'd slurp some coffee, become somewhat rationale again and forget it until the next time. But it bothered me even to the point that I remember calling Carl up and saying "She keeps saying Mama die! Why is she saying that?!?!"

Months later, when either she became clearer or when I began understanding Julianese (or both), I realized she was saying "Mama drive". Oh. Phew. The sudden realization was although relieving and comical- Oh thank god, she doesn't want me to die! I actually understand her! - it became somewhat less exciting too . Oh, so she's not psychic? Someone's not plotting to kill me off through her?

Trying to translate what the hell Julia is saying has been an interesting experience for me. Although I am the one who understands her the most, I have always thought I would just ALWAYS understand her just because I was her mother. But half the time, I am just as clueless as the next person and I end up just making it up when people look at me quizzically and asks "What did she say?"

"Oh she said Don't touch me!"

"She said she doesn't like it."

"She said she thinks your outfit is hideous!"

"She said she thinks you should be nicer to her mommy and maybe kiss her ass a little..."


Now if only I knew what "bugga bugga" means....