Overcoming Language Barriers - French in Dakar
I am grappling with the outcome of the mistake I made several years ago when I decided that the French class during my secondary school was not for me. I am now paying the price several years down the line.
At that time, I decided in school that I was not going to learn French because I did not like learning a second language after English.
I am in Dakar for a workshop at this moment and the language barrier is making it difficult for me to move around as I want to do without being chaperoned by an interpreter.
I already have one, Abdul, who has offered to take me to the market and other places. However, I like my independence and would have preferred to move alone.
Because of the decision I made several years ago, I cannot enjoy my stay in Dakar as much as I would have enjoyed it had I learnt how to speak French.
Learn whatever you can whenever you have the opportunity for you do not know when what you have learned [or failed to learn] will be needed by you.
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Comments (6)
Kevin H.4
Internet Marketing
bronnamdi,
From the description it sounds like you are staying at Le Meridien in Dakar. Very nice hotel. All that matters is that you were there. It's too bad you didn't have the chance to visit Goree.
Kevin H.4
Internet Marketing
I miss the jollof rice with cassava fish cooked in palm oil. The best jollof rice I had was in Guinea-Bissau (Portuguese West Africa) Now that I could die for..!!!
Anyway, whether you realize it or not, food is one of the best barrier breakers when it comes to acclimating yourself within a new culture. Food is one of those conditioned responses that conveys to people your honesty and respect. Some cultures also regard their local meals as a personal experience and sitting down and sharin
Nnamdi A.17
There is Something for Everyone
I know Philippe. Your name gives you away as French-speaking.
If I had listened to my teacher then, I could have spoken enough French now to get by in Dakar.
Just imagine all the culture and tradition I will pass by just because of language barrier.
Meanwhile, the Goree Island is just across the road and the ocean from the hotel I am staying in. From the 9th floor of the hotel where my room is, the Island is just a sight away. And I do not have a camera to capture it.
What is the ev
Philippe Moisan16
Tutorial videos, sci-fi writer
Not being able to speak French, uh ? Such a bad boy.
I'm kidding, couldn't resist, especially since my first language is French. :)
Nnamdi A.17
There is Something for Everyone
@ktravel Thanks for consoling me. But, I have a whole day to explore the city and sample their cuisine especially jollof rice.
How do I tell them what I want?
Kevin H.4
Internet Marketing
I totally agree that you should take advantage of any opportunity to learn other languages and cultures. Having the opportunity to travel extensively, one of the things that I found to work for me in situations where language was a barrier was to immediately find out about the traditional culture and customs of that region. It goes a long way when presenting yourself.
I have traveled to Dakar many times as well as other regions of the French Speaking zones of West Africa and found that lear