Speaking English
A few months ago I made a mistake. When the complex management asked for suggestions, I told them that it did not make me feel secure that the guards on duty did not, as promised, speak English.
Ever since, I have been the focus of a lot of attention.
“Oh Madam, I am so happy to see you!” gushes one guard, and when I ask about his family, he looks at me blankly.
“Good morning, madame, yes fine, thank you” greets the guard before I have asked him how he is.
Someone is teaching them, and they are actually very happy to be learning some phrases, and they all want to be sure I know they are speaking English.
So yesterday, when a series of bulbs were replaced, when the hariss showed me the brilliant results, I said “Cool!”
And under his breath, the Nepali assistant said, with my exact inflection, “Cool!”
And I could hear him practicing, as he left. I am wondering if I will be greeted with a chorus of “cool!”s as I leave this morning.
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Poor guys, i guess they are just doing their best trying to keep there jobs 🙂
I think you are right, Abdulaziz, and at first I was afraid they would resent it, but they seem . . . joyful! It’s so odd, but they seem to be really happy about learning a few phrases. . . it is just the timing is a little off, but it’s off when I am speaking Arabic, too, and I see that patient grin as I get the wrong response sometimes.
oh, how funny – and how sweet. I’m sure they do appreciate the language tips they pick up from you – learning the nuances of expression in a language really makes a difference.
I remember having many conversations in Fes with souk merchants, explaining that “how are you fine?” was not one phrase, but a question and response. I wasn’t trying to be patronizing – I wanted them to sound more at home in English, so future generations of tourists would respond to them with warmth rather than laughter.
“How are you fine?” *laughing laughing laughing*
And I also remember when people would say “Ham’dallah ala salaama” and I would say thank you instead of “Allah ya selmak”, so I can’t be too critical!
oh, yes. I spent years using “shukran” as a response to “na3iman”. I offered that “how are you?” “fine” advice from a position of total humility!