Lack of Inspiration
It is getting harder to come up with inspiration for the blog. I suppose it was bound to happen... as I get more settled in my new life and surroundings, things begin to look less new and unusual, and therefore I get less inspiration to blog about life in Malta. What would be the appropriate metaphor here, a blessing in disguise? a victim of its own success? You get the idea.
Just the other night we were out with friends of many nationalities, and the waiter asked where everyone was from. M gave a quick rundown but forgot to mention me, and when I pointed this out he said that he now has begun to think of me as Maltese. In fact, when people ask me if I am Maltese, I often answer "yes" just for pragmatic reasons. I know that what they really mean is, "would you know how to tell me where this street is" or perhaps "do I have to explain how X works or should I assume you know already" and so I just cut to the chase.
But then there are the frustrating moments, like this morning when I kept answering my neighbour and the repairman in Maltese, but they kept answering me in English. I know, I know, the Maltese say they find it rude to speak Maltese to a foreigner, but I still find it rude to be answered in a different language, especially when I have made such an effort to learn it and use it.
Anyway, this entry is a bit disjointed. So to continue with non-sequiturs... Sabine tagged me to come up with seven random and/or weird facts about myself. That should not be so hard, seeing as I hardly ever fit the norm!!
To start with, the rules of the game are:
- Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
- Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself (on your blog, we all want to know them).
- Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
- Let each person know that they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
I promised Sabine I would eventually get to this, so with a bit of a delay, here goes:
1. I am a gay Jewish Peruvian living in Malta. That is pretty random in and of itself!!!
2. I like to sit through the credits of a film. Often, I am the only one who stays in the theatre to watch them, but I do it anyway. You can learn a lot of neat little facts about a film in this way (and if you are reading this, you clearly like to learn lots of little facts...)
3. I learned Maltese. Most foreigners who come to live in Malta do not. I was appalled to find out that there are people who have spent 30 years here and cannot speak a word of it. Then I learned by experience that even when one tries, it is extremely difficult to get locals to speak it back. I had never been to a country where people go out of their way for foreigners NOT to speak their language and/or assume that it is not something worth doing.
4. Having said that, I am a big language nerd and love learning them. With Maltese, I now speak eight languages (to varying degrees).
5. People ask me for directions wherever I have gone in the world. Either I seem to have some type of universal look, or I seem to exude an incredible amount of confidence in my orientational abilities. Once someone got angry that I did not know how to work the ticket machine at the Barcelona train station. He thought I knew but was just being rude.
6. I have been to Machu Picchu three times, and it was just as magical every time.
7. I have been to every continent except Africa and Antarctica. And with the former so close to Malta, I hope to remedy that sometime soon!
I hope that was interesting for some of you! It was my first time playing one of these blog tag games.
I hereby tag the following people (click on their names to be taken to their blogs, as the blue font does not seem to be working):
1. Jess (perhaps a good excuse to finally update that blog...)
2. Steve
3. Wen
4. Mrs. Maltagirl
5. M.L. Liu
6. Himmeldunst
7. Jay
Well, that was kind of fun! Thanks, Sabine!
I've met a girl from Malta and I'm going to visit her in a few weeks so you and a handful other Maltese bloggers has been very interesting places to read to better understand Malta and the Maltese.
Regarding your point no. 3 it's the same case when foreigners in Denmark learn Danish. Denmark is a very small language and we are not used to hear that many variations of the language (as oppose to English which has many incarnations different places in the world) so therefore it can often be hard for a Dane to understand a non-danish speaking it and it's very easy and fast to switch to English instead. But you are right - it is rude to not continue the conversation if it is initiated in Maltese/Danish (Comment this)
It was interesting to read your seven facts :) I didn't know you are Jewish :) How nice! I have a couple of Jewish friends :)
"I had never been to a country where people go out of their way for foreigners NOT to speak their language and/or assume that it is not something worth doing". I think I somehow disagree with you, English is also an official language in Malta ;) and though learning Maltese would be helpful I believe that we must admit it is not necessary to survive given that basically all Maltese speak English fluently (it is compulsory at school). At the end of the day, learning a new language also means an effort both financially and timewise and if it is not going to provide with tangible benefits many people won't be bothered to learn.
I suppose that when looking for a job the fact that someone is fluent in Maltese would open more doors though these wouldn't be closed necessarily because one is not fluent in Maltese. There are many foreigners working in Malta who don't speak Maltese, like me :) But if I had to start looking for another job I suppose I would find many places where fluency in Maltese is required.
Today I am dusting my notes and books. If you like ne of these days we can study together as you mentioned before :) (Comment this)
Wendy, according to the constitution, English and Maltese are both official languages, but only Maltese is the "national" language. And while alsost everyone (not everyone) speaks English, for many people it is not their mother/first/home language and they prefer to speak in Maltese amongst their friends and family. Just because a language is official does not mean it is what people are most comfortable with... and while yes, you can easily live in Malta and not speak Maltese, I feel it is vital if you want to form part of the country and the local life. (Comment this)
thanks for the tag, sorry for being a bit slow to react but I have been flat out here for the last few weeks.
I will respond soon. (Comment this)
thanks for the new post I was worried that Malta had lost its charm and that you had run out of things to point out / discuss. I love reading your blog its a way for me to keep an eye on you ! and on Malta of course :-)
Brussels is still a mystery to me, 9 months on, so I envy you your aclimatisation to Malta (hope that makes sense). Miss you lots - see you in December I'll be there 21st to 27th.
Hugs
P (Comment this)
I just found out about your tag! Oh my!!! That means I really have to update my gossip! Give me a few days please (*making a mental note to put it on the To-Do-List*).
Thanks for the tag, Grego and by the way, please NEVER stop blogging. I love to read your stuff. You have one of the most interesting blogs to read. I'd miss it!
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From now on, I will make it a point not to reply in English when foreigners speak to me in Maltese. :)
Qed tara, kif anke mill-internet titghallem xi haga.... :) (Comment this)
I do miss Malta in a myriad of ways. There are undoubtedly a few things that I don't miss too. I was telling you last time how I have started pushing my British part forward lately. I suppose after 12 years in the UK and 7 in Italy, I don't need to stick so closely to my roots any more. I still can muster some fab Maltese expressions, though, right? I do get the Maltese retaliating in English too, I'm afraid.
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