Ma/Mama/Amma/Mom/Mum

The first word that most babies say – “Ma”, “Ma Ma”.

The word that most of us say when in pain/distress/grief/helplessness/sadness/against a tough wall is usually “Ma/Mama/Amma/Mom/Mum” and some derivative of this – with a prefix/suffix.

The person that most of us wish to be with us when we are very happy or experience a success is usually “Ma/Mama/Amma/Mom/Mum”.

The last words that many dying people utter (and I’ve seen/heard this in so many instances) is “Ma/Mama/Amma/Mom/Mum”.

What is it about the word “Ma/Mama/Amma/Mom/Mum”, I wonder?

• That makes one happy
• That makes one feel better
• That make it all worthwhile
• That makes everything seem OK
• That make the storms pass under

I don’t have all the answers, but here’s what I do know..

• Just saying “Ma/Mama/Amma/Mom/Mum” – makes you feel better
• Just being with “Ma/Mama/Amma/Mom/Mum” – makes life a lot easier
• Just hearing the voice of “Ma/Mama/Amma/Mom/Mum” – makes the moment bearable (no matter what you’re going through)
• Just seeing “Ma/Mama/Amma/Mom/Mum” – makes life complete
• Just a smile from “Ma/Mama/Amma/Mom/Mum” – makes it all worth it

What does the word “Ma/Mama/Amma/Mom/Mum” mean to you? Leave a comment to let me know…

NOTE:

Ma forms the basis of the word for mother in many different and possibly unrelated language families around the world:

• Latin mater
• Greek meter
• French mère
• German Mutter
• Russian mate
• Icelandic modher
• Sanskrit mata
• Irish mathair
• Welsh mam
• Arabic oum
• Hebrew em
• Swahili mama
• Chinese ma
• Hawaian makuahine

Why so widespread a word? The sounds of m and a are among the easiest to make and among the first sounds acquired by a human infant.

More details here.

Nischala Murthy Kaushik is an IT & Marketing professional, an IIMB Alumni, a mother and a philosopher. She likes to believe that she is a Scholar & Guru of Life for Life and the Chief Happiness Officer of her life. She blogs @ Nischala’s Space Thoughts and Expressions & VERVE : The Quintessence of my Life. In addition, she is also as a guest blogger in several sites of global repute; and her blogs have been featured in several Best-Of lists on the web. She tweets @nimu9 and is listed among the 50 Indian Women to follow on Twitter.