“NE”

呢 呢 Silvia Wang “NE”

My favorite sound in Mandarin. Not a word, often lost in translation, Impossible to explain, yet essential

Nuanced in use, it comes naturally A telltale sign of native fluency Or learned proficiency

Disrupts the dissonance of charged conversation A peace offering, an upwards inflection Marking sweet exchanges at the dinner table

The trailing tail of a sentence, Used for emphasis, persistence, Or to soften your words In a language that is vibrant with distinct, sharp tones Clashing syllables on a bustling street Vendors selling fresh produce on a city block

A sound that mediates, Cools the jarring collisions of argument Can add a warmth, a missing tenderness

Or readily invites a response, In an endearing question to a loved one “Ni ne?”