We went to a marriage enrichment retreat with our church this past weekend. Among the 20 people in attendance, the countries represented were: USA, Scotland, South Africa, Malaysia, Holland, Germany, France and Luxembourg. So the languages that were heard throughout the weekend were English, Dutch, German and French. With so many different cultures and languages, the main comments you heard were, "What does that word mean?" or "How would you explain that in _____ language."
I think it is wonderful to learn things from so many cultures and languages because by no means does American English have the perfect definition for every word. But when you have to explain or simplify every fifth word you say, it can become exhausting. I try never to use contractions or any "big" words that someone learning English might not have come across yet. In case you wanted to get an idea of just how much extra work it requires, imagine having a conversation with someone while both of you are trying to walk backward the entire time. It just takes that much extra thought and effort that it can sometimes make you just not want to say what you are thinking!
A few examples from this weekend: How would you explain to someone what a hub (like a large airport) is in simple English? It is also challenging to hear a French person speak English because they do not have the H sound in their vocabulary (so Thomas sounds like Tomas). At one point someone was using either driving or thriving in a sentence, but I could never figure out which.
For some reason (don't ask me why) I used the phrase "Keep on truckin' " in a sentence while I was talking to the group. Afterward, my conversation with someone from Luxembourg went something like this,
"What does 'keep on truckin' mean?"
Well it is what drivers of 18 wheelers say.
What is an 18 wheeler?
It is a big truck that drives across the USA and has 18 wheels.
So what is "truckin?"
Truckin is driving.
So I can say I am truckin today?
No, truckin is just a slang word.
What is slang?
Below is a commercial that sums up many of my day to day interactions here:
4 comments:
Very cute commercial, Em.
Okay, my dad has a favor to ask of you, but I think I will need your email address to explain it. Will you email me at lexiblair78@hotmail.com.
Thanks!
Alexis
Emily, that commercial was so incredibly funny!! I couldn't stop laughing!! Your posting comes at such a perfect time too. I'll have to use it in my blog! Thanks for sharing!
*snorts with laughter* i love it.
This will make me giggle inside each time I go out in this mad, but strangely comfortable city!
Thanks so much!
Jules
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