As people fixated on all things language, we often assume that those outside our bubble are oblivious to the joy we get from dabbling, finding out about and having fun with words. But at a cross-cultural wedding this weekend, I was delighted as the topic of language came up, again and again – and people just ran with it.

The ceremony was between a Scottish-English friend and her Latvian partner, with a small group of celebrants on either side. The Latvian party spoke both Latvian and Russian amongst each other, all with very good English (of course!). The Brits were, encouragingly, a multilingual lot too, which is always good to see (our reputation preceding us all too often).

The touch-point was simple curiosity. It was time for the toasts and the meal, and someone piped up how do you say cheers in Latvian? That’ll be priekā! Soon on its heels followed how do you say bon appetit in Latvian? (Labu apetīti!) Before we knew it, we were deep in linguistic exchange. It wasn’t one-way, either; when it transpired that a waitress was a Doric Scots speaker, like one of our party, a whole other language lesson was delivered back to our Latvian friends. Fit, faa, foo…yes, they really are question words in Aberdeenshire!

The loveliest thing was that it didn’t stop at the initial tidbit of info. The newly shared Latvian and Doric phrases kept ringing out throughout the meal, practised by the guests in much the same way as kids show off a new skill. It was an absolute joy to witness – learning about each other through language, and using that knowledge to keep a new dialogue going. When the time to say goodbye arrived, I’d already Google Translated and memorised a snippet to part on, tipsily:

• Bija jauki iepazīties (it was lovely to meet up)

Making connections like this and seeing them flourish refreshes our faith in humanity. When we explore and celebrate our diversity, we are truly at our best.