Dear Followers, I have
now been in Ibadan for two months. I haven’t felt homesick since I have been
here; I am truly enjoying myself. Classes have gotten better since September,
when they thought we were beginners in the language. I learn a lot of the language
from just being around my family and the time I spend with my language partner.
Learning a new language can become frustrating at times. Sometimes you ask a
question and you get a response that has nothing to do with what you asked. Sometimes they ask you questions and you don’t
completely understand what they said, but you understand some words, so you
answer the question they way you think you understand it. I definitely have
funny stories about miscommunication. But it’s all a part of language learning.
This past weekend we
went to
Osun-Osogbo Sacred
Grove.
Osogbo is the Capital of Osun state. The people of
Osogbo still practice traditional religion and culture openly. Especially with
the world popular
Osun-Osogbo
F
estival, people come from all over the world to attend
this festival. I saw various statues of gods and goddess that are still worshiped
till today (See pictures below). This weekend we will go on a trip to the waterfalls
in Osun State-I will mention that in my next blog post. Until then O
digba!
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| Osun Goddess |
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| A Shrine |
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| Osun River |
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| Entrance to the palace grounds |
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| god for women hoping to become pregnant |
"Sometimes you ask a question and you get a response that has nothing to do with what you asked. Sometimes they ask you questions and you don’t completely understand what they said, but you understand some words, so you answer the question they way you think you understand it. I definitely have funny stories about miscommunication."
ReplyDeleteThat part of your post gave me some flashbacks. Two months ago, I was in a francophone country to improve my french and nearly concluded that the people there care more about how you say what you say that what you say. The owner of a roadside canteen told me food is fini just until a passer-by came to my aid and I discover there was enough available to feed the whole community (of about 16 people though).
And the annoying guys at the boulangerie (bakery), they took for a sort of money-miss-road (more money than brain) guy. Couldn't say what intended saying to a lady that was overtly nice to me. My discussions with a nice friend became a migraine session.
Everything on radio sounded like music or more appropraitely, rhythms. I would listen for hours and get more headache than words.
Mais tout à fait, I made great friends, struck biz deals and slept a lot.
Just before I click on Post Comment, I'll give you a Yoruba proverb (my dad's favorite)
Kosi bi omo se le laso to, ko le ni akisa to baba re. (Rough interprepation, Regardless of a child's education the father has way more real life experiences)
Nature is always best.
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