Travelogue 12: Do You Speak American?

As previously shared, English is the second language for our students.  They learn Bimba in the home but typically don’t learn English until they start school.  Theoretically, we are speaking the same language but it is altogether different.

 It’s important to note, I turn on the sub-titles for British films. My high school French teacher knew I had no ear for linguistics. This trip proves it.

Our security guard approaches. He asked for relish. His wife has forgotten it.  Relish, relish? Oh, I recall there’s some chili-pickle relish in the pantry so I run and get it. I hand it to him with a teaspoon.  He politely accepts it and returns to his guard station.  Only later am I told that “relish” is the word for a vegetable and gravy mixture the local people eat with their nshima.  He must have been very disappointed.

All morning, the class kept saying they wanted a latrine with a glass roof.  I don’t question it during class since I’m the apprentice.  After class, I ask our engineer. Are you sure we want to do a glass roof? That seems pretty hot and dangerous. He bursts out laughing. They are saying grass not glass. Oh, that makes sense-doh.

A Seeds of Hope driver approaches me and asks how I like the city.  I say, “Oh, you mean Ndola? It’s nice.”  He shakes his head and says, “No, the city. The city.”  Only then do I realize, this is the guy who gave me a CD of his singing. It was nice too.

Mrs. Lombe is late for class. I ask her how she is doing. She says “Not great. I haven’t had my coffee.” I say, “Oh, you like coffee and not tea?  I like coffee too.” (Trying to make conversation you know). Only later am I told that Mrs. Lombe has a cold and has been coughing all morning. 

Yesterday, we did a role-play. I played the part of the facilitator. The class was to evaluate the session and tell me what I did wrong. This took some encouragement as the Zambians are excruciatingly polite. Finally, one offered up, “You don’t listen very well.”

What’s scary? These are the few examples I know about. How many other times have I totally missed it? “He who has ears, let him hear.”

We’ve started packing.  Tomorrow is graduation for our class.  It’s hard to leave knowing the projects are not completed. I have to keep reminding myself, we are the teachers, not the doers.  It’s up to the community to complete the latrines for the children.

After class tomorrow, we take that lovely bus ride back to Lusaka.  This may be my last entry for awhile. Thank you for your love, prayer, and support. I’m sure I’ll have more to share upon re-entry.  At some point, I’ll have to rename my blog. This girl isn’t so reluctant anymore.

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As an addendum to yesterday’s entry about forgiveness, I went to the team leader. Although I’d been stewing for days, he was totally unaware of the source of my frustration. He apologized profusely as did I. We both forgave the other.  It was hard but it made things right again.

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