One of the things I enjoy about my sons going to school in French is the random way that franglais, that fun French/English hybrid, winds its way into our Anglo home.  For instance, we consistently use the word “câlin,” for some reason, in place of its English counterpart hug or cuddle.  Words we never say.  “Do you want a câlin?” I’ll often ask at the sight one of my son’s upset.  And I’m curious about the swapping out here, of our mother tongue for our second one, and wonder if there’s something about the unique nature of touch and physical intimacy that unconsciously inspires us to reach for special expression.

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