Miscommunication Station (Nov 18, 2013)

Having just finished the long sixteen-day visit to my host community, I'm forced to look back on how I feel about Kerr Sadaro and my experiences.  My host family and people I have interacted with are the most patient people I have ever met, always willing to help me with language.  As I've grown more comfortable with them, and my language classes have continued, I've been communicating more and more.  Sometimes my attempts at communication are successful... and sometimes not. 

Faux-pas #1: After a long day at a wedding, which included hours of gussying up with the other women in my family, I saw my aunt was looking tired.  When I attempted to ask, "Are you tired?" (Danga soon?) I instead said "You look funny" (Danga relu). 

Faux-pas #2:  We learned the words for "bless you" and "difficult" on the same day in class.  Thinking I'd mastered them, I started saying "bless you" when people sneezed.  Actually, it turns out I was saying "difficult" when people sneezed.  Which I guess is accurate, sneezing is... ACHOO... difficult.

Faux-pas #3: After a wedding, the bride will sometimes return to the house she grew up in and take ceremonial pictures with them.  A few days after my sister's wedding, I spotted her walking by the house in her finest garb.  My mother told me that after I finished my garden work, I needed to shower and then take a picture with my family.  I finished my garden work, grabbed my materials for the shower, and stopped to confirm with my mom.  "Tay?  Apres sangu?  Photo?"  (Today, after I shower, a photo?) I kept repeating, sticking to nouns as I didn't trust my shaky grammar to get the point across.  My mom confirmed that yes, today, after I showered, I needed to put on a specific skirt, a specific shirt, brush my hair, and take a picture with my sister. 

So I showered.  I put on the shirt.  I put on the skirt.  When I came out of my room with my hair and make-up done, my entire family was staring at me.  Nighttime is the time for comfy clothes, so when I came out with my finest garb I caused quite a stir.  My sister told me that my clothes looked very pretty, and my brother asked why I was wearing my fancy clothes. Looking around at everyone, including my mother, lounging about I answered, "I don't know."  They all exchanged looks of 'crazy American, what is she doing?'  So I sat there all night, and we never took a picture. 

There were several other faux-pas, but I have had some successes as well!  I am able to joke, play, get my most essential needs across.  My brothers like teasing me, and this is an example of me being able to respond. 

My joking younger brother: "Seneba, get me water."

Me: "Ummm... no."

Brother: "Seneba, I'm thirsty.  Get me water."

Me: "Do you have two legs?"

Brother: "Do you understand what I'm asking you?"

Me: "Yes, but do you have two legs?"

Brother: "Yes?"

Me: "Do you have two arms?"

Brother: "Yes."

Me:  "Do your legs and arms work?"

Brother, accompanied with eye-rolling: "Yes, Seneba."

Me:  "Demal jelal sa bopp ndox!" (Then go get your own water!)

Followed by laughing by all brothers present and my family repeating the story all day. 

End scene.