I Will Borrow it Yesterday
My Spanish is pretty good, but I didn't check the "fluent" box on the application because I was feeling a little shy. I have spoken Spanish for years and I even translate for students and teach bilingual classes, but I have never been outside of the US before and was excessively apprehensive. I am happy to say I have been successful so far and (dare I say it?) underestimated myself.
At the airport, one of the many friends I have made on this trip played a little trick on me, taking advantage of my almost-skills. He tried to teach me bad words and get me to say them. It didn't work (Ha! Thanks to my students I already know most of them!), but I felt isolated. I hear him and others speak the
language, and I usually understand but don't know what to say; I say things that are understandable but don't always make sense. But how will you learn a language if you don't jump in and start making mistakes? So I don't mind; I am happy to oblige.
I thought of a friend of mine who came to the US from China, and she told me that people played tricks on her all the time, much more maliciously than my Fulbright friend. People laughed at her, yelled at her (because if you can't speak English you must surely be deaf) and thought she was less than intelligent; they were so cruel to her. I understand her experience is not unique among immigrants & visitors to the US. I am so grateful to be in a situation with many gracious people and many opportunities to practice and learn.
It also forced me to think about languages that are not spoken. I am much more expressive with my face and hands when I speak because I know it helps (Ordering scrambled eggs: "Um... ¿podría tener huevos así.... [stirring motion]?"). My body language is non-threatening. I am friendlier and smile more because it might help when I forget to conjugate verbs ("I will borrow your iron yesterday...").
And of course, I am thinking about the fine arts--those things that transcend speech entirely. We are in the most beautiful country I have ever seen, studying cuisine, textiles, art, dance, and music (my favorite). It just reminds me once again how fortunate I am to be here, with an extraordinary group, being played tricks on, learning so much.
Top: Me with some of the friends I have made (I am the pink one), taken in Mitla, Oaxaca
At the airport, one of the many friends I have made on this trip played a little trick on me, taking advantage of my almost-skills. He tried to teach me bad words and get me to say them. It didn't work (Ha! Thanks to my students I already know most of them!), but I felt isolated. I hear him and others speak the
language, and I usually understand but don't know what to say; I say things that are understandable but don't always make sense. But how will you learn a language if you don't jump in and start making mistakes? So I don't mind; I am happy to oblige.I thought of a friend of mine who came to the US from China, and she told me that people played tricks on her all the time, much more maliciously than my Fulbright friend. People laughed at her, yelled at her (because if you can't speak English you must surely be deaf) and thought she was less than intelligent; they were so cruel to her. I understand her experience is not unique among immigrants & visitors to the US. I am so grateful to be in a situation with many gracious people and many opportunities to practice and learn.
It also forced me to think about languages that are not spoken. I am much more expressive with my face and hands when I speak because I know it helps (Ordering scrambled eggs: "Um... ¿podría tener huevos así.... [stirring motion]?"). My body language is non-threatening. I am friendlier and smile more because it might help when I forget to conjugate verbs ("I will borrow your iron yesterday...").
And of course, I am thinking about the fine arts--those things that transcend speech entirely. We are in the most beautiful country I have ever seen, studying cuisine, textiles, art, dance, and music (my favorite). It just reminds me once again how fortunate I am to be here, with an extraordinary group, being played tricks on, learning so much.
Top: Me with some of the friends I have made (I am the pink one), taken in Mitla, Oaxaca
Bottom: A beautiful house in Mitla, Oaxaca.
Pictures by Michelle.
posted by M at
3:57 PM
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