It’s been a slog recently in my language journey. I’ve left behind the curriculum that I was using, and now I’m in somewhat uncharted waters working with my instructors on various aspects of the language. One instructor has asked me to edit their latest curriculum because, I guess, I try hard to get stuff right. (It’s editing the English-language instructions—I’m not at all qualified to edit the Haitian Creole stuff!). Another instructor and I just chat for an hour twice a week, which is helpful to me, but I wonder if they think it’s worth their time. And the third instructor—my most challenging instructor!—tries hard to make me feel confident but lordy I know my accent is bad and I’m stumbling at stuff I should know.
However, yesterday in class with Instructor #3 I was able to read the two pages of texts that they prepared for me. (I am not certain if these texts come from standard resources or if they’re making them up, because they seem oddly attuned to my level of expertise!) I was able to read them, out loud, and then translate them on the fly, to the point where I was laughing out loud at some of the more ridiculous events in the story. The text contained not a few examples of idioms and word phrases in Haitian Creole that translate to a single word or so in English. For example, “Gade m, pou w wè!” – “Watch!” (As in “Watch me do this!” said in response to a dare.)
Now granted, I only was befuddled on a few words. Most of the new ones I was able to figure out from a combination of context and similarity to English words, especially English words that come from French forms. For example, “degoutan” has in its root the word “gou” which is used for “tasty, taste.” And “grangou” is “hunger.” So based upon the context I figured it was “dis-gusting.” Which it was. Same as “lwaye,” which is “rent” (noun) coming from the word “lwe,” “rent” (verb). The sentence was “li oblije peye lwaye a” -> “He was obligated/had to pay the rent.” I knew the other words, and it made sense in context.
The one I didn’t get was “detann,” “relax.” “Tann” is “wait,” so I figured it was related to “waiting,” but there wasn’t enough context for me. But “relax” makes sense, and now I know the word.
And a new form of “either…or” as in “swa…oswa,” which I didn’t recognize. “Swa” by itself is “evening, night,” so it confused me, but my instructor pointed to its matching sister “oswa,” and then explained. (“Oswa” is one of the ways to say “or” – and there are quite a few ways to do that! Oubyen, oswa, osinon, osi, …)
Well, all to the good, I guess.
I now have at least three formal lessons a week (Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays). When my second instructor can get back online again regularly, I’ll have lessons on Wednesday as well. (Because of the precarious nature of telecommunications between Haiti and other countries, it’s hard to have a live session.)
And possible I’ve picked up a fourth regular conversationalist on Fridays, someone who wants to talk with me in English and for me to speak with them in Haitian Creole. We’ll see what happens.
Image by Lauri Poldre on Pexels