I love you. Three little words, which have been responsible for so much happiness...and so much angst and heartache. Did she mean it? Did he say it back? Who said it first? Does it matter?
But here’s a dilemma you may not have considered, which language is the best in which to express your devotion?
French - Je t'aime - It has associations with Paris, the city of love and all it has to offer: the food, the wine, the Eiffel Tower. How could your paramour not be swept off their feet?
Spanish - Te amo - I once dated a guy from Madrid. When he said, "Te amo," I almost melted, though his sexy accent and the fact we were on a yacht enjoying a Mediterranean sunset may have had much to do with it. Sadly, our relationship did not survive winter in Walsall!
Russian - Я тебя люблю (Ya tebya liubliu) - Say it in a Russian accent and it sounds wonderfully seductive. You'll feel like a spy from a James Bond movie!
German - Ich liebe Dich - I confess I'm torn about this one. My husband is a blonde, blue-eyed, gorgeous German yet my silly British seaside sense of humour means 'Ich liebe Dich' makes me giggle. But laughter is good, and he has been the love of my life for the past ten years, so I included it to be fair.
So, what's the strangest language in which to declare your love.
How about Dothraki? Should you wish to declare your love Game of Thrones stylie this Valentine’s Day, simply breath these words, “Anha zhilak yera norethaan.”
By Clare Becker