Thai is the third hardest language in the world to master and takes a tremendous amount of gesturing to communicate even the smallest message. I go to bed each night feeling like I ran a marathon, my throat is horse, my head throbbing, and my muscles aching from the gymnastics exhibition I am required to perform each day. Needless to say, a telephone conversation is a daunting prospect.
Each night I would work up the never to dial Pi Ying’s number and each night I would participate in the exact same conversation.
Night One -
Family: “Hello?” (because Thai people answer like Americans on the phone)
Abby: “Hello”
Family: “Have you eaten yet?” (because food is the center of Thai culture and you know everything you need to know about a person if you know what they are eating)
Abby: “Yes”
Family: “What did you eat?”
Abby: “Fried Rice” (because they don’t understand when I tell them anything else)
Family: “What did you do today?”
Abby: “Talked with a teacher and studied Thai” (because that is all I can say)
Family: “What are you doing now?”
Abby: “Talking to you” (because it’s the only other thing I can say)
Family: “Have you showered yet?”
Abby: “No” (because it is a good excuse to hang up)
Family: “We are worried about you, go shower and go to bed”
Abby: “Ok, I miss you, goodbye” (score points because being able to say I miss you seems advanced)
Family: “We miss you too, now go shower” (because they are obsessed with me showering ALL the time, and because they are just as ready as I am to hang up)
For a script of nights three through five please see above conversation . . . there was no deviation from the exchange previously printed.
Each night I would work up the never to dial Pi Ying’s number and each night I would participate in the exact same conversation.
Night One -
Family: “Hello?” (because Thai people answer like Americans on the phone)
Abby: “Hello”
Family: “Have you eaten yet?” (because food is the center of Thai culture and you know everything you need to know about a person if you know what they are eating)
Abby: “Yes”
Family: “What did you eat?”
Abby: “Fried Rice” (because they don’t understand when I tell them anything else)
Family: “What did you do today?”
Abby: “Talked with a teacher and studied Thai” (because that is all I can say)
Family: “What are you doing now?”
Abby: “Talking to you” (because it’s the only other thing I can say)
Family: “Have you showered yet?”
Abby: “No” (because it is a good excuse to hang up)
Family: “We are worried about you, go shower and go to bed”
Abby: “Ok, I miss you, goodbye” (score points because being able to say I miss you seems advanced)
Family: “We miss you too, now go shower” (because they are obsessed with me showering ALL the time, and because they are just as ready as I am to hang up)
For a script of nights three through five please see above conversation . . . there was no deviation from the exchange previously printed.
How funny. You seemed to have more freedom from Kerry and Lona. I am glad to hear that your Thai is improving. Wow, when you come back to the states you will be ready to be an ELL teacher. Stay safe. Have a great Easter. We are getting ready for the Easter Bunny to come on Saturday. Andrew and Lizzie are so excited to hunt for eggs.
ReplyDeleteTalking on the phone is the worst.I have a friend form work his name is Mr.Reyes and he is from Mexico. when he first got her he depended on me alot for my English skills. Imagane that! I would be last person someone should learn English from. But we had many conversations like the ones you have. Five years later he speaks perfect English and he is very special to me. sometimes you do not need words to express how you feel.
ReplyDeleteTalked to your dad today he is doing well he miss you. You mom might get a new job at a charter school. As far as my life Sarah might be getting engaged and is looking into buy Grandmas house.That would be nice because we all could still go there. Charlotte will be graduating in a month wish you could be here for the big bash.
ReplyDelete