Language & Laughter

I am in the process of the learning the local language, Mabaan. It's been a rather difficult learning process for me but I am going to keep trying. At times when I don't yet know the Mabaan word the Spanish word comes out of my mouth in its' place. I am sure the local women must think I am a bit strange. Plus, I am still working on the correct pronunciation and my tongue and lips don't work well to make these new sounds.

Just yesterday I am sitting around with several ladies practicing my Mabaan lesson for the day regarding numbers, “to have” and “to want” verbs with the appropriate conjugations, and family vocabulary. As one of the older girls is making coffee (pray that I will grow to like it) I am asking them the names of the animals in Mabaan. I learned the words for goat, pig, chicken, and dog. Now I am pointing to the young calf across the way who is just “Mooing” loudly. Well, I don't think the women are understanding my new question so I just let out a “MOO!” The women just erupted in laughter. And then I started laughing at how ridiculous the whole situation was-- women sitting around, drinking coffee, and here I was a foreigner making animals noises.

 I think even by American standards of a group of ladies at a tea party- my behavior was hilarious! We all had a good laugh!! I have still yet to learn the word for cow but I am going to find out!