universal language

my cabbie two nights ago was also one for the books. he was speaking some sort of south asian language, though i couldn't understand a word of it. all i could decipher - football, world cup, brazil, goal, urgent and "mamu" which could translate as maternal uncle or police perhaps. i think he and whoever he was talking to were maybe arguing over a little side action on the world cup results of the day. either way, i had a great time trying to figure out the point of the conversation... what else are you going to do on your way to work at 4 a.m.?