When the idea of summer in Kent was brought up, Gabriel could do nothing to hide the small smile that flashed across his features. The hours spent in the sun, exploring the acres of gardens and orchards surrounding the family home, were certainly some of his best childhood memories — but that was hardly an impartial view. So, true to form, he said, “Well, that is somewhat subjective,” adding, “although, I personally find the summers to be pleasant, if a little too warm,” as somewhat of a compromise.
Isobel’s smile puzzled him, but her next statement truly caused his brows to knit in confusion. He had almost understood everything she had said so far, yet this seemingly simple concept made no sense whatsoever, even when she elaborated on her point.
"Adequacy is subjective," he began, "and surely ‘having the scope’ to feel, as you put it, is the key factor. Emotions are, essentially, a sequence of electrical and chemical impulses in the brain. We do not need language for this to occur, so to say that emotion is dependent on language is false." Gabriel declared this with some certainty, confident that science would prove correct. He was beginning to think he may have misjudged Isobel, or her standard of logic, at least.
"Of course," he went on, "emotions can manifest themselves via language, as the desire to express oneself can create a need to find new words or phrases to summarise one’s emotional state. So, wouldn’t it be more apt to say that language is dependent on emotion — to an extent — as opposed to the opposite?"
Satisfied with the substitution of ‘confusing’, Gabe nodded. “Evidently.” Isobel had obviously adjusted well, given that she was studying at one of the country’s most demanding and prestigious schools, despite no lessons being taught in her native tongue. If in her shoes, Gabe was positive he would not have fared so well.
At the remark about Germany’s reputation, he nodded again. Unbeknownst to Isobel, this simple comment was liable to set Gabriel off on an extremely long verbal splurge. The urge to start rattling on about the facts and figures, relating to Germany’s contribution to the Second World War, was almost too difficult to quell. But, Gabe reminded himself, this was not relevant to their current conversation. Literally biting his bottom lip to keep a statistic from slipping out, he concentrated on what Isobel was saying.
"I agree; no country is entirely or inherently bad, however, I do not understand how neglecting to use its language would be forsaking it, in any way." Gabe sighed, concluding that he would probably never comprehend the loyalty Isobel appeared to feel toward her home country. "Obviously, the communications side makes logical sense, but the former does not." He shot her a quizzical look at her latter question. "No, it isn’t bad, though I do find it odd that you would associate any amount of positive feeling with missing someone — unless, of course, you have masochistic tendencies.”
