Full Moons and Safety Glass

Full Moons and Safety Glass
Balancing money, time, self, and family
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April 14, 2008
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AmandaS - > Full Moons and Safety Glass -> Lost In Translation
Lost In Translation
I am lucky enough to have had the opportunity to travel all over the world. Once, I tried to tally it up and I think I’ve been on five continents and at least twenty countries. I suffer repeatedly from bouts of wanderlust that completely flummox my sweet mid-western born and bred husband. The poor guy didn’t even have a passport when I first met him (he was 35).

Now, I don’t really speak another language. My high school and college Spanish has gotten me through some non-toursity parts of Mexico and Costa Rica. Actually, it has gotten me through parts of Italy, as well (bad Spanish is apparently close enough to bad Italian). In spite of this deficiency, I am fairly adept at getting around. Even in countries where the language and alphabet is not easily discernible or recognizable. Even on the brink of a crisis.

Once, I left my purse with some credit cards and several hundred dollars in travelers check on a local bus in some tiny town in Spain. I didn’t lose my mind, I didn’t freak out, and I could barely understand the thick, regional accents of the locals trying to help me out. Eventually, I got my purse back and all of its contents. Another time, I arrived in Prague after traveling for nearly 10 hours by train. I was tired. I was hungry. There was some massive Catholic festival going on, and my room (that I had a confirmation for) had been given away. According to the tourist office, there wasn’t a room in the city. I managed to find a place to sleep.

So, why is it that sometimes I find it nearly impossible to communicate with my two-year-old? She has a fantastic vocabulary and her sentence structure is pretty sophisticated for someone so young.  But sometimes…either…I can’t understand her because of her funny-little-two-year-old-mispronunciations OR she really isn’t saying anything that makes sense.

When it is bad, it’s really bad. “Mommmmeeee, I vant ikimy, no coats keez. You no helper, Mommmmeeeeee.”

Huh?

I swear, if I didn't know better, I'd think she did it on purpose just to mess with me.

It becomes a desperate situation when she starts throwing in some tears and/or a temper tantrum. I want to help, but I have literally no idea what the hell she is saying. And, so, as a desperate mother, I take desperate measures.

I ask my four-year-old to translate.

Remarkably, this works about 80% of the time.

"Mommmmeeee, I vant ikimey, no coats keez. You no helper, Mommmmeeeeee” is explained to me as “Carmen wants ice cream cream, not cottage cheese. She doesn’t want you to help her”.

It is a skill that is truly amazing. And, like I said, 80% accurate.

Sometimes, my four-year-old will rattle off a translation that doesn’t make sense. Then, I am stuck trying to translate both versions and figure out between the two if I have any idea what is going on.

“You find my booty sop and godie big with saps. I want my godie big with saps. Saps! Saps! Saps!”

Go head, you try it.

Good luck.
Topics: language development, toddler talking, travel, Prague, Spain
posted by AmandaS on Saturday, August 9, 2008 at 11:53 PM
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5 comments from 5 users

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posted by wifemotherdaughtersister on Aug 10, 2008 at 09:23 AM
i feel ya.  whenever i am at a total loss as to what my 2 year old is asking or saying, i just as her to show me what she's talking about.  then once she does i feel totally dumb for not realizing what she was saying. 

i love your little interpreter.  funny how everything comes back to wanting ice cream huh???

ps. this midwesterner still doesn't own a passport either
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posted by creatress on Aug 10, 2008 at 11:54 AM

I agree with you totally. I find that there are switches in my brain that need flicked depending on the situation. Stuttering badly? Got it under controll. Can totally guess what you're saying next and trying to say (thanks to my son). Deaf? Got that, thanks ASL classes. Cleft palet? Dentist apt? Gotcha. But a 2yo? That could be the toughest one.

That's really cute and funny that Ava can translate. I adore it! I usually just guess. "You want milk? Have to potty? Want this book?" Till I get lucky and hit on what they're saying.

I love the travel stories. That's amazing that you found your purse AND a place to sleep. Wonder woman!

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posted by hmoeckli on Aug 10, 2008 at 02:43 PM
I should remember to give you a call when I'm in a tight spot. I am NOT solution girl. I cry. That's what I do. Cry first, think later.

Yeah, and I tried to translate Carmen's demand and all I can think of is she wants something with straps. But I have no idea what else she wanted.
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posted by lmkoster99 on Aug 10, 2008 at 07:17 PM

Can Ava translate for me too???  I am clueless....poor kid is so proud to get something out & I haven't a clue!!

BTW....I have to ask.....where did you sleep in Prague?? :)

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posted by AmandaS on Aug 13, 2008 at 10:59 PM
Translation:

You find my beauty shop and goody bag with straps. I want my goody bag with straps. Straps! Straps! Straps!
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