Learning curves...

John Marl learned a new word this week which is causing quite a stir around here. He has been slowly adding words for the last few months. He started with Ball and Mama, then Dada and No. He says 'yes', 'thanks', 'hi' all with varying degrees of clarity. But this week's new word is especially exciting. He has learned to say E ye, which in this particular case is not the same are eye. John Mark has learned his first word in Twi! It is actually a sentence meaning, "It's good." As we walk through our neighborhood, we are greeted with the phrase "Enti Sen?" which roughly translates to "How's it going?" To which John Mark enjoys replying with "It's all good!" in Twi. Well, you can imagine the response this small, very white, very blond boy gets when he responds in Twi to our Ghanaian neighbors. Laughter and clapping follows, which serves as a pretty good reinforcer for John Mark! So it seems that over time John Mark may prove to be the best student of Twi among us.

I have been trying to pick up some basic phrases. I have learned to say basic greetings, and can ask for items I need at the local corner boutiques where I buy sugar and spaghetti. The problem is that the nice shop owners respond to me in Twi. And if they respond with anything other than "It costs..." or "Thank you," I am lost. After a recent trip to the market I came home and learned a few useful phrases. "Me nti Asea. Me Ka Twi kakra kakra." I don't understand. I speak Twi small small. I use that one alot.

The thing is, that even if I only know a few words of Twi, the people are so gracious and excited to teach me more. Making any small effort to learn about their language and culture is very much appreciated by the Ghanaians I have encountered. It makes me wonder if we would be as encouraging and appreciative of visitors in the states. Or have we become so spoiled by the prevalence of English around the world that we forget what a real effort and desire it takes to learn another person's language and culture.