School doesn’t start until January 8th. Until then I’m just getting used to the slower pace of life in Africa. I had heard that things were slowed down here, but it’s still quite a shock coming from over stimulated America. Combine the slower pace of Africa with a holiday… let’s just say I spend a lot of time reading and playing with Sibale’s youngest girl, Thandi. She is actually an orphan from Sibale’s extended family, and can speak about as much English as I can Chewa. (Which is very sad considering she’s only 2½ , but I’m trying to learn more everyday.) A typical conversation in English with Thandi:
Thandi: How are you? (every little kid knows at least this much English, and they love to say it)
Me: I’m fine, how are you?
Thandi: How are you?
Me: I’m fine. How are you?
Thandi: How are you?
Me: I’m fine.
Thandi: I’m fine!!
(you get the picture)
We also have similar conversations in Chewa. But most of the time we just throw things back and forth and I understand nothing of what she says unless one of the older girls is around to tell me.
There are 6 girls, Thandi, Temwa, Chisomo, Nane, Sekille, & Nancy. It took me 3 days to get the names down. When all their friends come over to play, I’m hopelessly lost again.
Thandi: How are you? (every little kid knows at least this much English, and they love to say it)
Me: I’m fine, how are you?
Thandi: How are you?
Me: I’m fine. How are you?
Thandi: How are you?
Me: I’m fine.
Thandi: I’m fine!!
(you get the picture)
We also have similar conversations in Chewa. But most of the time we just throw things back and forth and I understand nothing of what she says unless one of the older girls is around to tell me.
There are 6 girls, Thandi, Temwa, Chisomo, Nane, Sekille, & Nancy. It took me 3 days to get the names down. When all their friends come over to play, I’m hopelessly lost again.
No comments:
Post a Comment