OPINION PIECE - Gibbledy-gobbledygook. Makes sense right? If you've been finding yourself on the short end of the language stick during lockdown, with that end getting shorter and shorter as the self-isolation progresses, you'll know what I mean.

Ahh, language is beautiful isn't it? It is the one thing that unites every human being. 

Be it English, Afrikaans, Xhosa, French, Spanish, sign language, or even that weird stuff they speak in America (to this day I don't think anyone truly understands "Americanish"), we are all united by the common denominator that is language in some form or other. 

Some have a greater love and passion for the art of language than others, but no matter whether you love or hate it, it's as essential as doctors are in the fight against Covid-19.

But speaking of Covid-19, this lockdown has really got to us, hasn't it? It would be impossible for me to list all the ways in which we've started to go loopy of late, as lockdown continues to put strain on our livelihoods. So instead, I'll shine some light on something that is close to my heart as it is literally what pays my bills – my slow descent into the madness that is a loss of language. 

I'm fluent in English and Afrikaans, so I essentially have two languages from which to pick and choose in order to compose a conversation, right?
Wrong. 

Of late, it's felt like I'm slowly losing grip on both of them. I'm making up new words every week. 

As I engage in conversation with friends, family, neighbours and colleagues, I often find myself combining two words into one that doesn't exist in any language and even "freestyling" my way between the two languages in a very Tony Hawk-on-a-skateboard manner. 

This has led to some rather interesting conversations, and it has indeed impacted on how I write. 

Luckily, on the writing front, I have a subeditor (thanks, Riana) who helps my gobbledygook make sense. I'm not so lucky when speaking however, and my delicious loss for words at times has led to a few good laughs in the midst of what's supposed to be an important conversation.

Now, whether it is a Covid-19-induced crisis, an early-onset midlife crisis or potentially the start of an existential crisis, I guess only time will tell. 

In the meantime, here's a cool new word I learnt this work courtesy of Dictionary.com – dishabille. It is pronounced "dis-uh-beel", and refers to the state of being dressed in a careless, dishevelled, or disorderly style or manner. Rather apt, is it not?

'We bring you the latest Knysna, Garden Route news'