Crossing the Language Barrier

Before coming to India, I expected to run across several issues with my limited Hindi speaking abilities.  I figured this would be my biggest impediment to “becoming Indian,” and I definitely have had my share of trouble communicating.  At the beginning when I tried to speak in Hindi, several people politely said, “Can you please speak in English?”  Ouch!  That was quite the blow to my ego!  Part of me even wanted to quit speaking in Hindi altogether since it sometimes hurt trying to constantly think of the right words to use! 

At first, I had a better chance communicating with these.

Daunted, I persisted nonetheless to continue speaking Hindi.  I found that even though the engineers and scientists I work with understand English, there were many ideas that we were trying to convey to each other that did not get across.  What was even worse was when we thought we understood each other, we were sometimes talking about different things.  So I spent a lot of time being confused about what they are saying, and was often completely frustrated that what I was trying to say wasn’t getting across.

Enduring still, I was noticing that in villages, I started being able to converse directly with the village people.  I often needed the help of a co-worker to translate the local dialect and the many words I didn’t know, but I could tell I was getting better at this thing!

This villager was actually telling me what he thought about George W. Bush!

Then take yesterday.  Yesterday was Republic Day, the day that India celebrates its constitution being official (about 3 years after Independence Day, when the British handed over control of India in 1947).  I spent the day with a co-worker from IDE who knows the least English.  In fact, his English is just about limited to “America,” and as of a few weeks ago, “NASA”.  We had a great time going to the Republic Day parade where we witnessed some mild police brutality (ironically on a day of independence!).  Then he and some kids taught me how to fly a kite and play cricket.  And all of this happened without any language barrier whatsoever!  That’s when it hit me.  I know Hindi!!

Umm...so how do you play this game again?

So the persistence has finally paid off.  And while I can now check off the box that says I can fly a kite and play cricket, I am most excited that I can check off the box which says I know conversational Hindi, which means I am totally 3 steps closer to becoming Indian.  And just in time too, since I leave in a few weeks.  Considering I now drink chai several times a day, and my friends back home tell me I already drive like a maniac, I think that only leaves ‘eat spicy food...and like it.’ on the checklist!