There are many funny "lost in translation" kinds of terms that everyone experiences when going from country to country.
The Brits laugh at the American's "fanny pack".
Kenyans say "flash me" when asking for your phone number.
And my favorite two in Hungary...
When you leave a store or restaurant, Hungarians will often say "hello" as you walk out the door. Hello for goodbye. It's used more like the Hawaiian "Aloha". Getting used to it, but a little awkward when I get back home.
Hungarians kiss when they greet and say goodbye, like many cultures. So when they say goodbye on the phone, it's common to hear someone say "kiss kiss" as they get close to hanging up. "Kiss kiss" in Hungarian is pronounced "pussy pussy". English speakers can't help but giggle a bit at that one.
Do you have any good "lost in translation" stories?
Friday, March 29, 2013
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Sicily
Loud
Historical
The Sea
A Volcano
Medieval Cities
Churches
Norman Architecture
Ottoman Architecture
Greek Architecture
Roman Architecture
Modern Architecture
Piazzas
Old Men
Chaotic
Hiking
Strolling
Eating
Almond Wine
More Churches
Really Old Churches
Sicily
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Being International vs. Internationally Minded
Today I was challenged with how "international" I am. I'm attending an IB Teacher Training, which is an educational philosophy and system of schools in the international community. The purpose of which is to create learners who are "Internationally Minded". As we went over the profile of the IB student, I was challenged by one of the student traits - Open-minded. IB states what this type of learner strives to be:
They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.
After discussing this in the seminar, the thought that came immediately to my mind was my reaction to Hungarian prejudice. I've written about this a couple times in previous posts - my frustration with the close-mindedness I see around me. But today I realized that my opinions of that "close-mindedness" are a result of my own close-mindedness. Being open-minded means trying to understand different points of view. Looking at Hungarian culture, what I've learned thus far anyway, I can see why some of these things I see as frustrating are part of a culture I really appreciate in so many ways. Whether they're right or wrong is not mine to judge if I want to be an open-minded person. "Seeking and evaluating a range of points of view" and being "willing to grow from the experience" is what I should be striving to do to be Internationally Minded.
I like the way this made me think. I've been "International" for 7 years. But maybe one day down the road I'll truly be Internationally Minded.
They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.
After discussing this in the seminar, the thought that came immediately to my mind was my reaction to Hungarian prejudice. I've written about this a couple times in previous posts - my frustration with the close-mindedness I see around me. But today I realized that my opinions of that "close-mindedness" are a result of my own close-mindedness. Being open-minded means trying to understand different points of view. Looking at Hungarian culture, what I've learned thus far anyway, I can see why some of these things I see as frustrating are part of a culture I really appreciate in so many ways. Whether they're right or wrong is not mine to judge if I want to be an open-minded person. "Seeking and evaluating a range of points of view" and being "willing to grow from the experience" is what I should be striving to do to be Internationally Minded.
I like the way this made me think. I've been "International" for 7 years. But maybe one day down the road I'll truly be Internationally Minded.
Saturday, February 16, 2013
The Hungarian Ketchup
We had not been in Hungary long when Will came home from a grocery shopping trip one day. I put the food in its place. It's the least I could do since he had done all the shopping. Afterward, I asked him why he didn't get yogurt. I know I had put it on the list. "I did," he responded matter-of-factly. A little bantering went on until he showed me the 'yogurt' he had purchased - two large containers labeled Tejföl. I smiled. Will had brought home a lot of sour cream.
In Hungary there are more containers of sour cream in the dairy section than almost anything else. A good friend of mine explains it well in his blog post...
Tejföl
In Hungary there are more containers of sour cream in the dairy section than almost anything else. A good friend of mine explains it well in his blog post...
Tejföl
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Not just a Hungarian issue
This week our land-lady told us that our neighbors were uncomfortable with us having black people over to our house. They were concerned with safety in the building. I stared at her, "OH MY GOSH! You are kidding me!" Both Will and I stood there with this naive idea bouncing around in our heads, trying to make some sense of it. "Yeah Hungary," I responded with sarcasm.
Since this conversation, the prejudice issue has been a topic of conversation between us and our land-lady, us and foreign friends, and Will and The Neighbor. Our land-lord, who is a super nice Hungarian lady, explained the issue quite well in an email:
Xenophobia is a problem in Hungary but very much so because most of the people live in a very homogenous context, never in touch either with people of any color or different cultural habits, or even disabled in any way, so they just do not really know how to relate to that - and it is very much different to grow up in such a multicultural, melting-pot society as yours. I know the difference as we lived in the States almost for 2 years, had Eszter (daughter) go to school there and it made a world of difference... e.g. you know how we are, but I have to tell you that I remember that Eszter was about 3 when she saw a black guy on the bus first time in her life and was quite scared of him, which made me very embarrassed. On the other hand, imagine how unique it was for her then... It is unimaginable in the US but in fact most other Western European countries. But also, I bet that in our village none of the kids my son's age have ever seen a black or Chinese or Indian person in their lives. Or a blind one. When we lived in the States (or even first landed in Paris or London), it was really a very dramatic, revelational experience for me. Or having a black friend in Colorado when we lived there. But most people never had such a hands-on experience. I am sure that now so many people, especially young ones studying and working abroad, it will change.
I understand that Hungary is a very homogenous culture. But having grown up in an all white community myself, it makes me even less sympathetic to this thinking. I think our neighbor is another example of the prejudice so interwoven a much of Hungarian society. And Hungary is not alone. Many countries and cultures (even my own) have issues of prejudice, which let's be honest, are created out of ignorance and the unknown. However, I also think that our land-lady is right - the next generation can change it. In Hungary. In America. Across the world.
Since this conversation, the prejudice issue has been a topic of conversation between us and our land-lady, us and foreign friends, and Will and The Neighbor. Our land-lord, who is a super nice Hungarian lady, explained the issue quite well in an email:
Xenophobia is a problem in Hungary but very much so because most of the people live in a very homogenous context, never in touch either with people of any color or different cultural habits, or even disabled in any way, so they just do not really know how to relate to that - and it is very much different to grow up in such a multicultural, melting-pot society as yours. I know the difference as we lived in the States almost for 2 years, had Eszter (daughter) go to school there and it made a world of difference... e.g. you know how we are, but I have to tell you that I remember that Eszter was about 3 when she saw a black guy on the bus first time in her life and was quite scared of him, which made me very embarrassed. On the other hand, imagine how unique it was for her then... It is unimaginable in the US but in fact most other Western European countries. But also, I bet that in our village none of the kids my son's age have ever seen a black or Chinese or Indian person in their lives. Or a blind one. When we lived in the States (or even first landed in Paris or London), it was really a very dramatic, revelational experience for me. Or having a black friend in Colorado when we lived there. But most people never had such a hands-on experience. I am sure that now so many people, especially young ones studying and working abroad, it will change.
I understand that Hungary is a very homogenous culture. But having grown up in an all white community myself, it makes me even less sympathetic to this thinking. I think our neighbor is another example of the prejudice so interwoven a much of Hungarian society. And Hungary is not alone. Many countries and cultures (even my own) have issues of prejudice, which let's be honest, are created out of ignorance and the unknown. However, I also think that our land-lady is right - the next generation can change it. In Hungary. In America. Across the world.
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