Lost In Translation

It’s funny living in a foreign country. One which I barley speak the language.

Some days I wonder how I get anything accomplished. This is more than, lost in translation. It’s more like, a catastrophe in translation.

I get an extra baguette - when I only ask for a half. Carrots – when I want leeks. I turn left - when told right. Simmer - when I should rapidly boil. Smile - instead of cry. Offend – when I intend to compliment.

It’s really quite funny. I write this evening with a light-heart and a slight smirk. I have been here long enough to laugh about it. But. Most of all. Learn from it.

I have never made the same mistake twice. Pushing my embarrassment aside, I usually rush home and look up the French from my recent debacle. This is hard on the pride, but great for the brain in learning a new language.

I have committed to having at least one French conversation a day. Whether it is with a chef, a store proprietor, or a waiter. Some how, each day, I am speaking in French. Mistakes flying out of my mouth like slang from a sailor’s. But, I try. I work at it everyday. Some days it’s harder on the ego than others.

Today’s faux pas was when I returned my DVD rental. Thinking that I understood the store owner yesterday, I placed the DVD in some machine. Nope. Wrong move. After jamming the machine and standing still while it made an embarrassing noise for quite some time, I left the scene. I had to meet a friend for coffee. And the store wasn’t open.

Upon returning to my neighborhood this afternoon, I sheepishly walked in to explain. Being a Saturday night the store was busy. I was nervous to have such conversation – in French – with an audience. But. I did it. He was very kind and we laughed – although he was the only one rolling his eyes.

I came home. Reworked the conversation of how I could have spoken better. And. Now I know. Now I know the next time I break someone’s machine how to explain myself. A learning moment.

So tomorrow is Sunday. My day to take to the local street-market. This is usually a hoot of a learning process. Like I’ve said though, hard on the pride, but great for the brain.