Let me toss a challenge your way. Suppose you have friends from another country visiting you – and they don’t speak English. And suppose they ask you, in the language the two of you share, to give them a few words or phrases in English that will get them by here in the United States, should the two of you get separated.
Come on, you can come up with a few great words that are used all the time around here. I could give you a few examples but, better yet, I’ve come up with a collection you can use while you are on one of your excursions around the world.
Let’s start off with the German language spoken in Austria and Germany. When a local sitting next to you in a beer garden or on a train, strings together half a hundred words (and you haven’t the slightest idea of their meaning) how do you respond? Simple, you smile and say “Ja Ja.” That’s pronounced yah, yah, and it’s especially impressive if you say them together quickly.
“Bitte,” pronounced the same as it’s spelled, is also useful. It lets you pass in a narrow hallway, and it excuses you for disobeying some custom with which you are unfamiliar. Or it implies the person you are talking to isn’t speaking clearly or loudly enough.
OK, enough about German. Let’s move on to Mandarin, the language used in much of China – “Ni Hao,” pronounced nee how. This phrase seems to cover about all situations. You can use it as a greeting, or I’m told as a farewell. It sort of substitutes for our own use of the word “hi.” It can also be used to inquire about one’s health.
It is friendly but must be used with caution. If pronounced incorrectly it might mean “your mother looks like a horse.” Maybe you ought to avoid this one – in fact, I’ve actually talked myself out of it.
“Ciao,” pronounced chow, is the universal word spoken in Italy. Once again, it can be used in almost every occasion. When a friend approaches, “Ciao” is ok. When they leave, it is also appropriate. Sit down at an outdoor café in Rome, the waiter greets you with the word. Once again, a universal expression covering many situations.
In Australia, it is convenient to mix in the word “mate,” pronounced more like “might,” when dealing with the local citizens. It works best if added at the end, or near the end, of any personal question. Such as, “How much do you charge for these, mate?” Or, maybe “How you doin’, mate?” For some reason it softens the tone of your words.
Another excellent Australian phrase is “No worries.” Or, even better, “no worries, mate.” If you haven’t enough money to pay for a lunch, the phrase “no worries” buys you a little time. Also if someone jostles you in an elevator, “no worries” brings a smile.
The Swahili equivalent of “no worries” is “hakuna matata.” Not exactly, but pretty close. Walt Disney made this expression popular in The Lion King, but nevertheless, it works well in Africa, mostly in Kenya and Zanzibar. Your car needs work, “hakuna matata.” No tables available in a restaurant, “hakuna matata.” Your guide appears to be lost, “hakuna matata.” Hey, it’s Africa, and not everything works perfectly or is on time. What a great way to calm you down.
In Nepal, the people use the word “Namaste” regularly. Once again, you can use it for just about everything from a greeting, to a farewell, to thank you.
In fact, this might be a good way to end my article this month. NAMASTE!
Leave a Reply