Calling Things by Their Right Names

I am a native English speaker. As such I am a valuable resource for a Namibian school. Although English is the country’s official language, it is almost no citizen’s mother tongue, and English is presently the only subject a learner absolutely must pass in order to progress in school. I have made myself available to all learners and staff members who have any questions I may be able to answer. I have thrown all of my support behind the after-school English Club, “Voice of Change”, which fines its members one dollar for speaking Oshiwambo during the weekdays. Most learners, to put it mildly, struggle with English. Nevertheless, one of the first things that struck me upon my arrival at Oshikunde is how incredibly hard the learners work. Their living conditions alone would be excuse enough for almost anyone to just coast by in class blaming their poor grades on early wake ups for showers, almost daily clothes hand-washing sessions, multiple daily water fetching trips, and late night scrambling to keep things dry if it ever rains on their “hostel” tents. One fact about myself that I quickly realized in Namibia is that I am a sucker for languages, and I figured that if these young adults are willing to work so hard to learn mine, it is only fair that I try to learn theirs.

At the end of my classes, if time allows I ask the learners to teach me one word in Oshikwanyama (the local dialect of Oshiwambo). I constantly ask staff members how to say certain phrases in their language, and my favorite ritual I have established is asking learners questions while walking with them to the ondobe (watering hole) to fetch some omeva (water). In Namibian culture it is a sign of respect to offer someone your assistance. It is also considered rather rude to deny anyone the privilege of helping you should they ask to do so. As a person who feels uncomfortable taking advantage of or unnecessarily relying on others, this cultural more took some getting used to. I once returned from class to find a learner exiting my front gate with a tub full of weeds that he had just pulled from my yard. Every ounce of me wanted to say “You don’t have to do that! Please go study or rest, you work hard enough as it is!” but I found that the right to perform an elder a service is highly sought after. This means I have to swallow my tongue and simply express my sincere gratitude as best as possible. A trend that quickly developed after learners saw me walking anywhere with a bucket is that of learners asking to fetch water for me. Being simultaneously averse to being disrespectful by refusing and by acting entitled by delegating learners to do my chores, I have negotiated with the learners that they may carry my water if they allow me to walk and talk with them.

On these walks the learners ask me questions about 50 Cent, and Barack Obama, and California, and other American volunteers they assume I know, and English grammar rules. While walking I take every opportunity to point at anything and ask, “Shike?” which literally means “what?” and in context means “what is that called in Oshikwanyama?”

“Shike? Shike? Shike?” I say. I hope I don’t bore them with this game, but their interest in it shows no signs of waning. Giggles and laughs accompany my every attempt at their language. If I make a mistake, it is funny. Oddly, if I get it right, it is hilarious. It took me some time to figure out that I was getting anything right at all I was so confused by the volumes of laughter. It may be obvious and banal to state, but communication is what pulls people together. Cultural and language differences are substantial barriers between people, but even if you speak a broken tongue, just trying to learn someone else’s language is one of the best ways to show someone that you want to connect with them because everyone can recognize and appreciates an earnest inquiry into the way they live.

A Short Oshikwanyama Dictionary:

Wa le le po = good morning
Wa hala po = good afternoon
Wa tokelwa po = good evening
Kala po nawa = goodbye
Inda po nawa = travel safely
Ehee (eh-hey-hey) = yes
Ewa = Ok, I accept
Ohandi takela omeva = I am fetching water
Gavela katatuka = My bucket is broken (guess why I learned this one)
Onda fya enota = I am thirsty (and this one)
Ikulya ewa = good food
Onda hole okutala omwede = I like to look at the moon