18 Novembere 2012

Language:
I served in Mexico from 1968 - 1970.  I learned Spanish.  Since then I have been living the last two years with our son who speaks Spanish in his home.  I thought I knew Spanish as we flew into Santo Domingo to start our mission.

I know Spanish, but I don't know what they speak down here.  They are SLOPPY.  They drop letters, especially the s's and other letters.  (I was in a class with one of them the other day and he was directing those in the class to go to John 17:3.  He put on the board: Jua 17:3.)  I almost laughed.  Our director of the Institute was talking about the obis the other day.  I didn't know what he was saying and asked him.  Then he said, "Oh, the Obispo."  -- which means bishop.  But in his speaking, he says obis. They are always saying;  nosotro,  entonse, buen dia, bueno noche, por pues, etc. 

Then every Monday, B and I sit in a meeting with three other Dominican.  When they want us to know something, they either talk very slowly, or they try to say it in English.  When they ignore us, they speak, sloppily and rapidly.  We don't have any idea what they are saying.  We just sit, smile at each other and wait until they decide that we need to know something.  When we go to different wards and branches, often we sit there and look at each other and wonder what is happening, what they are saying, and afraid that they may ask us a question.  We do pick up a few words here and there, which helps us decide what the message is about, however.  And I can draw on 42 years ago to help also.  But it is totally a challenge.  Perhaps after a few more (16) months we will be able to pick up more about what they are saying.

I find myself starting to pick up the way they talk.  We have been counseled not to do so.  If we start speaking like they do, then  we will destroy our Spanish, the way it is supposed to be spoken.  I heard of an elder from Chile who couldn't understand the other day.  He had to ask the Dominican to speak slower so he too could understand. 

It sure is interesting to be in a country when you can't understand because they speak a different SPANISH.  We can get along, but it isn't because we speak as they do.  Bonnie's lessons, tutoring in the MTC help a bit, but they don't speak as she was taught  Spanish.  We are doing well, at least we speak a language that we can understand each other.

When I teach my two classes each week, I just go slow, speak what I know, saying whatever needs to be said in a myriad of different ways, and I get the message across.  At least they haven't fired me yet. They say that we will both be teaching more come the next semester, starting in January.  Looking forward to it.

No, they do not honor, think about, or pause for Thanksgiving.  Thus we will both be teaching our class on the coming Thursday.  Having a big institute party on Friday.  Then on Saturday, we will probably get with the mission president and eat a few turkey legs, breasts, and even a thigh or two.  So enjoy your Turkey-day, knowing that it is about 88 degres here, hot, hot and hotter.  May get a few rain drops though.  Adio....

I was cooking hot dog for the institute, of course they loved them as I burned them, or at least made them well done.  They like well done here also, but they put mayo rather than mustard on their dogs.