Through the Seasons

The Hurdle

The man who runs the campsite where we’re staying was talking to us about our Swahili. He grew up in Tanzania and the school has been meeting here a long time now so he’s seen a lot of people come through.

I was telling him how I just don’t tend to talk much (especially to strangers) in English, much less in Swahili. On top of that Jonathan talks a lot (he was shocked at that statement) so it makes it even less of a necessity for me to do it. Jonathan then told him how my vocabulary was good though and that was his weak area.

The man explained that the vocabulary comes with time and the biggest hurdle for most people is to actually begin speaking. So that’s my challenge. Just take a deep breath and speak to people. Even if I’m going to mess up. Even if I’m not sure of my sentence structure. Even if… I’m scared… Of course, I have to actually think of something to say too which is my biggest problem. Small talk just isn’t my thing.

I did have a couple moments last week though. People here greet each other like crazy so I’m used to doing the usual “habari za (insert various words here)” with the response “nzuri”. Same old, same old. One morning I had to go back to the room for something and I saw one of the workers. She began speaking and all I thought was that I’d wait until she finished to say “nzuri” but as she spoke I realized she didn’t say “habari za” anything. Eek! That’s when I started paying attention! I heard the word “ufunguo” (key) and “safisha” (clean). She needed the key to our banda so she could come in and clean. Ah! I stopped walking and told her (in Swahili) that I needed to go to the banda (so I need the key myself) but that I would return. We understood each other and it was great. (Simple sentences but still – it was great.) Jonathan not being there with me helped because he would have undoubtedly handled the situation for us.

There’s another worker here who has invited us to her home. It is in the low 90’s now during the day with a very strong sun so the 45 minute one-way walk (then another one back) is going to be quite a challenge for me. Last week I had a head and chest cold so we decided I should stay and rest instead of trying to make that journey. We walked up to her to explain and Jonathan didn’t say a word. He just stood there and looked at me. Gulp. I guess I’m telling her. And I did! I told her about my cold and that I was unable to make that walk. She understood and said that I needed to rest and that the sun was strong. Yep. All that in Swahili.

Of course, last night a guard said something and for the life of me I couldn’t understand him. Finally I did but even then I was just guessing. Some people just talk kind of “different” and sort of mumble too.

Not that I’ve totally gone over my hurdle but I’m running full steam forward and it’s in sight. One day I’ll leap right over it.