We’ll see how this goes. I’ve processed a lot of these thoughts on language, but up until now I’ve only spoken about them in Spanish. It’s not that I had a hard time speak English, but my expression is limited, my brain is twisted. I’m sure linguists know more about this phenomenon.
Anyhow, jumping in to “Spanish only” has been really, really good for me. Last year it was difficult and frustrating, but this year I have more patience and, thankfully, more understanding of the language.
I’ve had opportunities to talk to a lot of different people. Some knew that I’m learning Spanish, and helped my by speaking a little slower than normal. Some didn’t know that I wasn’t a native speaker, and assumed I could understand everything. Some of my favorite conversations, though, have been with T, the 14-year-old Katio boy that lives here in the house and goes to school.
Before moving into town, T spoke very little Spanish (at home, they speak Katio). He was immersed into the language and has done very well at school. T and I share the common experience of acquiring a second language (though he speaks more Spanish that I do) so he’s very gracious to pause when he sees my blank face and as, “No me entiendes?” (you don’t understand?).
The crazy thing about language acquisition: I’m learning more than I think. For example, G told T not to go very far on his bike because “you don’t have a _____.” I asked her to repeat that word, because I didn’t understand. When I still didn’t understand, she told me in English: brake. Later, T mentioned that he didn’t have a brake on his bike. I understood. I’m constantly acquiring new words, and although I couldn’t tell you what the word for “brake” is, I know that if someone used it, I’d know exactly what it was.
Throughout our conversations, I’ve occasionally asked T, “How do you say that in Katio?” Unfortunately, my brain has no category for acquiring the Katio language at this point in time, so I haven’t remembered anything. 🙂
Anyhow, I will cease to bore you with my processing of language. For those of you who are only reading the blog and don’t get my email updates, all is going very well. I’m greatly enjoying the time and feel very blessed to be here.