Caught in the Rain
Apologies for the long break. I have had the most terrible case of writer’s block, and have simply been scratching my head trying to think up writing ideas. I suppose this means I am getting so settled in my new home, that I no longer find many new things unusual. Ha ha!
I was going to write about how great it is to have such lovely weather, while most of my friends in the northern hemisphere are beginning to struggle with winter or its beginnings. But just now I went out and got caught in the rain. Not only rain, but an incredible gust of WIND came out of nowhere. My poor umbrella has seen its last day. We ventured on, broken-umbrella and I, through the wind and rain and tried not to slip on the way home. I am now in dry clothes, and noting that the rain stopped the moment I came back inside. Some days are just like this.
I have been having a bit of what some would call homesickness. Except in my case, I am not exactly sure where home is because I lived in many places. And it is not exactly streets and buildings of a city that I miss, but my family and close friends. They, too, are spread out throughout the world now, so I cannot point to a specific place. It has not been terrible, but I have been a bit nostalgic. It is bound to happen when one moves to a new country, and I was expecting it sooner or later. I also know from experience that it will pass. Much like a cold or a stomach ache.
On a happier note, last night I was at a friend’s birthday party and I got to meet Ivan’s wife Mandy. It was my first time meeting a reader of my blog, and a couple of other people there said they have been reading as well. I was a bit embarassed, as I am not used to being such a “public figure” but it was indeed flattering to know that people are enjoying my writing and even recommending it to friends!
Mandy and I had a conversation in Maltese, and I understood everything she said even if I stumbled a little in my replies. But the Maltese are always throwing English phrases in their conversations so I will use that as my excuse. Mandy then said that she felt a bit impolite when talking Maltese to a foreigner. Once again, I am surprised by this, as it is not the first time I hear it. I stress again that Malta is the only country I have been to where the locals are embarassed/disinclined to speak their own language to foreigners. In most other places people expect (and in some cases demand) that it should be the foreigners who learn the language.
Il-lejl it-tajjeb (good night) to all!
The best way to learn a language is to live it: you speak it and listen to it, just like you’re doing. You’re doing really well, I could never hope to learn a language so quickly!
Actually there are many people here in Malta who don’t know English, or prefer Italian as their second language. And it’s usually the snobs who don’t know Maltese, most of them are rich, or pretend to be. Most are actually from the Sliema area, but not all Slimiżi (people from Sliema) are like that
The problem in Malta is that many professionals seem to think that Maltese cannot be used for certain things. In University all lectures are in English, because of foreign students. But if I go to Italy to study, I cannot even imagine them trying to teach in English. I don’t know why we have such an inferiority complex.
Sorry for the long comment, congrats for the great blog and keep it up with learning the best language ever =)
Mandy’s right - the reason is that our instinct is that a foreigner doesn’t know Maltese and hence when you speak in Maltese near a foreigner you are in effect eliminating him from the conversation. We’ve a few foreigners working with us, and they do feel isolated at times - they miss out on banter which is generally in Maltese.
On the other hand, there are people who do get me a little irritated. One person I know who has lived here for something like 15 years, says, why should I learn Maltese, everyone speaks English here. That’s missing the point really, to really integrate yourself in a country you have to speak the native language in a native way, if that is humanly possible (and it’s difficult)
I agree, Zenetiq, I cannot imagine going to a university in another country and having the professor accommodate me by speaking another language.
Ivan, that is precisely the point: the same people here in Malta who tell me they don’t bother learning Maltese are the same people who then tell me it’s difficult to make friends and integrate into the country. The connection is plain to see! Like I have said before, I understand that some people have a harder time learning languages but if you are not even making the effort…
Grego….I thought your Maltese was pretty good when we talked:) And let’s face it, Maltese is not an easy language. So, Well done:)
Grazzi ħafna, Mandy!