Sunday, January 8, 2012

On Parle Quelle Langue? (What language are we speaking?)

Today, the rest of the Beloit crew (4 other girls) arrived, as well as a group from Franklin College. The FC people are only here for 2 weeks, and it's already clear we have different preparations and expectations. For example, none of them speak French, while for us, proficiency was a requirement to go on the program.

It's amazing the rate at which people can move between French and Wolof, and even the occasional English words. We all discussed how fascinating it is. People will even ask a question in one language and the response will be in another! I found myself doing the same in my journal, writing mostly in French, switching to English, throwing in the Wolof phrases. It's just a part of life here.

We went on a bit of a tour of downtown Dakar, leaving us anxious to start our "real" lives here. We're moving to host families tomorrow night, and I'm a little nervous, but mostly excited.

And the accompanying verses:
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice:


“ Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:


“ Blessing and honor and glory and power
Be to Him who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”
Revelation 5:11-13

1 comment:

  1. Thanks for posting Kate, I am enjoying hearing about all your adventures! The culture sounds really interesting. :)

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