So you can speak Tagalog? Is a question that I often get after I say Magandang umaga (good morning) or kumusta (how are you). It’s amusing to be asked this question after using such basic phrases that a tourist could easily pick them up and memorize on the 14 hour flight from the US to the Pines. I usually respond with kaunti lang (just a little) and/or dahan dahan lang po (speak slowly) which is usually taken as an admittance that I in fact do not speak Tagalog and the conversation will usually proceed in English. If I do claim to know Tagalog I find myself taking cover under a barrage of rapid fire Tagalog that only recently have I become comfortable fighting through. I sometimes think that if I claim to know Tagalog some pinoys see this as an opportunity to really test you and they let you have it. But if you can survive the barrage or convince the speaker that you do know some Tagalog and would like to continue the conversation in Tagalog you have a great opportunity to practice.
I found it amusing that on facebook there is an area where you can list languages that you know. I have been flirting with adding Tagalog to languages that I, “know” but I just cannot bring myself to do it. I know terrible right? I just do not, “know” the language yet. But where is the line between learning Tagalog and knowing Tagalog. Well there is no line, learning a new language I am sure never ends. Learning the language has come slowly and it has been less a continuous learning and more a struggle to use the language with sudden breakthroughs of understanding than a continuous steady improvement. I will be a pleased PCV if I can leave the Pines with my facebook page listing Tagalog as a language that I know.
After re-reading this spiel about facebook I am reminded of a recent statement online about a facebook problem/issue and underneath it was the caption, “First World Problems” I found it quite funny. Below is a website with similar pictures hope you find them funny too.
4 comments:
You'll love this then:
http://www.reddit.com/r/firstworldproblems
I can relate, because that is how I feel about French too :) Tagalog is so different from the other languages you have studied, but it wonderful that you are immersed in it because that should make it flow more easily. And I have found that native speakers are really pleased when you just make the effort! Mom
Hi,
My friend found this site. I hope I would be able to connect with Sasha(Alexander Muth soon). If you write my a private message I can give you my email or phone number.
Anya,
Feel free to email me at kmklebes@gmail.com.
Thank you
Matt
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