Lost in translation

I came to Calcutta knowing very well that language was going to be a huge problem for me. Since I was going to be at home for some time, I knew I would have to converse with the maids and occasional repairmen who would come for maintainence.

My biggest fear was realised on Monday when the plumber had come home to repair the flush in one of the toilets. I was listening hard to his hindi (which to me sounded bengali) trying to make sense of what he was trying to communicate to me. Well, I did succeed to a small extent and responded "Theek hai" (aka OK) to everything he said. Just hope he didnt ask if he could sell me off to Sonagatchi. ( the red light district of Calcutta). What was important at the end of this hindi endeavour was that I was able to learn some Hindi vocabulary and got the required work done.

My hindi endeavour continues with the maids..perhaps thats how I will finally make some sense of this language. And now I know how important communication is...how important languages are....Now I truly understand why language is power. Because if you don't speak a certain language, you end up feeling powerless...the way I feel now. For now, I am managing.

I really hope I get a hindi tutor soon, someone who would help reinstate my power. My power to communicate in the language widely spoken here in Calcutta. Really looking to moving from telegraphic speech to proper free-flowing speech in Hindi.