Early on I told dinner guests that I had cooked something naked rather than in a skillet. (I said " à poil " rather than "à la poêle". And I already spoke fluent French! There are just so many tiny details.
Tell me about it! What's interesting is that many locals I've met don't know what the verb tenses are, they just know what to say. The subjunctive is like a foreign term for many people I talk to haha. You'll get it better and better with time!
Haha, I didn't know "embarazado" meant pregnant in Spanish. In Italian it's imbarazatto so near enough the same, but the word for pregnant is "incinta".
But you're right, with languages people are always willing to help you, just need to get out of your own way and practice. If you're trying, most people are willing to help :)
Enjoyed this read. I have definitely had my share of awkward language moments while traveling too. It’s comforting to know we all stumble, and your humor makes it so relatable and fun, Daniel. Powerful quote from Mandela , next time I am in Zim , Masvingo will be on my list.
Early on I told dinner guests that I had cooked something naked rather than in a skillet. (I said " à poil " rather than "à la poêle". And I already spoke fluent French! There are just so many tiny details.
Oh no, haha. Did someone correct you or did you find out later? They're so close it's easy to mispronounce.
My husband pointed it out immediately 😂
That's a relief. At least it was an ongoing mistake!
Oh gosh, hilarious!
I once told my Costa Rican host sisters that I put mantequilla instead of maquillaje on my eyelids. 🤦🏻♀️
Haha that's funny. I'd imagine butter on the eyes has some benefits?
Well, it had the benefits of making my host sisters laugh hysterically so there’s that! 😅
Oh the joys of learning a new language! It's tough but part of the curve, right, Daniel?
No doubt, Jeanine! It makes for fun stories to tell later as well!
A typical Spanish language error-estoy embarasada. (I think that's our Spanglish try thinking that makes sense!) 😂
Enjoyed the info on Suriname and yawning!
Thanks for reading Marlo! Yes, I believe "embarrased" is one of the common mistakes English speakers make.
Speaking Spanish is the hardest thing for me. I get verb tenses messed up all the time. There are just too many if them. Argh!
Tell me about it! What's interesting is that many locals I've met don't know what the verb tenses are, they just know what to say. The subjunctive is like a foreign term for many people I talk to haha. You'll get it better and better with time!
Haha, I didn't know "embarazado" meant pregnant in Spanish. In Italian it's imbarazatto so near enough the same, but the word for pregnant is "incinta".
But you're right, with languages people are always willing to help you, just need to get out of your own way and practice. If you're trying, most people are willing to help :)
Enjoyed this read. I have definitely had my share of awkward language moments while traveling too. It’s comforting to know we all stumble, and your humor makes it so relatable and fun, Daniel. Powerful quote from Mandela , next time I am in Zim , Masvingo will be on my list.
I've always been convinced that the definition of "embarazado" is a joke perpetuated to humiliate the gringos. Huge laugh here!!!
Love the ice-cream story! Good on your for practicing, most people won't!