I should probably learn how to speak
Arabic. While I can carry on a decent conversation with many adults,
children don't really know when to speak slowly and clearly for the
American who doesn't know nearly as much Arabic. One sweet girl was
kind enough to try and help me learn the basics today after asking me
a question that I couldn't understand. First she held up one finger
and slowly and loudly said, “Wahid.” Then she held my hand so
that I also held up one finger and again said, “Wahid.” Some
children speak so fast that I don't have time to figure out what
they said before those words runs into the next ones they want to
say. Other kids have lisps which definitely doesn't help me
understand what they need me to do. But when you do understand them
and talk with them, their eyes just light up! Smiles are contagious,
but I think that's one epidemic the world could use more of. =) I
spent the bulk of the day with children who were about six, but I
also got to spend just over an hour in the first baby room. This
room has the youngest babies and currently, the youngest ones (they
are twins) are only one week old! They are asleep most of the time,
but I did get to hold and feed one little girl. It's only a couple
more days till I see them again and I'm super excited!
=)
=)
So, I know I am way behind, but wow! It sounds like you're able to work on your Arabic a lot. And it must be so satisfying to be working with children. Who knows? Maybe you can find younger children who you are on the same linguistic level with? I'm not sure how that works.
ReplyDelete