First published February 12, 2009
We've been in language school exactly one week. We completed our studies at lunchtime and went home to celebrate our 40 new words of vocabulary. Verbs are still scarce and not conjugated so we speak like Tarzan and Jane wherever we go.
John has been taking every opportunity to speak to the security guards and assistants in our building using the new words he's learned in class. Each time he'll look at them and send a greeting, "Sah-bak Khil-here!" This is supposed to mean, "Good morning." However, "our guys" listen to his greeting and then just laugh and laugh. NOT the way it is supposed to work.
Undeterred he talks with our taxi drivers each day as we commute to and from the school. Sometimes we receive a giant smile and a string of words following his initial greeting when entering the car. He then tries (key word, "tries") to tell the driver that he doesn't speak that much Arabic--(shway-uh shway-uh) is the word. So they tell him (again in Arabic) that he's doing a good job and he should keep trying--at least that's my translation to John.
One taxi driver was so pleased that he took the long way home so he could keep talking to us. This could backfire.
The Egyptians we have met have been incredibly encouraging when making any attempt to communicate in their heart language no matter how feeble. I'm planning strategic sessions with the women who work in our neighborhood. There are few places that women are seen during the day with the exception of them enroute to a location. So the girls and I will go to the local McDonald's and talk with our new friend, Rania. She's the manager there and has talked with us on several occasions now. Other plans include attending a church with Arab believers. (There is a small percentage in Egypt.)
Yes, one week of study. A million words to go. It's worth it though. A new language opens up an entire new people group in which to talk to, learn about, share life with...speaking of...the security guys in our building? They were so proud of John's question about where to buy bread that they invited him to sit with them and eat fuhl (fool). That, my friend, is progress.
John has been taking every opportunity to speak to the security guards and assistants in our building using the new words he's learned in class. Each time he'll look at them and send a greeting, "Sah-bak Khil-here!" This is supposed to mean, "Good morning." However, "our guys" listen to his greeting and then just laugh and laugh. NOT the way it is supposed to work.
Undeterred he talks with our taxi drivers each day as we commute to and from the school. Sometimes we receive a giant smile and a string of words following his initial greeting when entering the car. He then tries (key word, "tries") to tell the driver that he doesn't speak that much Arabic--(shway-uh shway-uh) is the word. So they tell him (again in Arabic) that he's doing a good job and he should keep trying--at least that's my translation to John.
One taxi driver was so pleased that he took the long way home so he could keep talking to us. This could backfire.
The Egyptians we have met have been incredibly encouraging when making any attempt to communicate in their heart language no matter how feeble. I'm planning strategic sessions with the women who work in our neighborhood. There are few places that women are seen during the day with the exception of them enroute to a location. So the girls and I will go to the local McDonald's and talk with our new friend, Rania. She's the manager there and has talked with us on several occasions now. Other plans include attending a church with Arab believers. (There is a small percentage in Egypt.)
Yes, one week of study. A million words to go. It's worth it though. A new language opens up an entire new people group in which to talk to, learn about, share life with...speaking of...the security guys in our building? They were so proud of John's question about where to buy bread that they invited him to sit with them and eat fuhl (fool). That, my friend, is progress.
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