Several years ago, my Afrikaans speaking friends Gawie and Ellen became ambassadors from South Africa to Chile.  They packed up and left for a 4 year stint in this foreign and fascinating country.

They were required to learn Spanish and use it as often as they possibly could.
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They tried their best and as is natural, found that they often made glaring mistakes. They nevertheless persevered, enjoying the wonderful tutor they had.

On one occasion Gawie found that a clerical error had been made on a document from South Africa and a service that he had told his Spanish counterpart came free of charge, was in fact NOT. 
He carefully worked out what he wanted to say in Spanish. Eventually he was confident that he would not make a fool of himself. 
It wasn’t as though the Spanish ambassador didn’t speak English, he did and very well but it was deemed polite to show willing and speak the country’s native language, frequently.

There were three Chilean men at the meeting and Gawie wanted to explain how embarrassed he was before he told his prepared story.
He assumed that the Spanish word ‘embarrassado’ would explain how he felt so he used it and was aghast when simultaneously the 3 Spanish speaking men BURST out laughing, tears of hilarity pouring down their faces!

Gawie was truly embarrassed and quickly the ambassador realised how tactless the 3 of them were being. With difficulty they ‘pulled themselves together’ and he explained that by using the word ‘embarrassado’, Gawie had told them that he was PREGNANT. 
Gawie was a good sport and he had a good laugh with them before delivering his word perfect speech of explanation in Spanish.

Ellen hadn’t been there long and she wanted to buy an oxtail from the butchery to cook for a special dinner. 
Once inside the butcher shop she found she didn’t have the Spanish word for ‘oxtail’ and hard as the assistant was trying to understand her, she was having no success. 
Frustrated, Ellen took to miming and with several assistants and customers all trying to understand, she acted it out. Hands to her swaying forehead with fingers extended sideways to indicate horns, some mooing and then one hand behind her rear showing a long swaying tail and EUREKA, those Spaniards ‘got it’ and the whole shop, including Ellen, rocked with laughter.

Tables are often turned and Gary and Ellen found that their ability to laugh at themselves often saved the day and made them new friends.

A faithful chauffeur was there for any formal occasion and Felippe was a charming man with impeccable manners.

A South African rugby coach, with a wicked’ sense of humour and no respect for decorum had been in Gary and Ellen’s home for a few weeks. He was teaching the Chilean rugby players some good moves on the field to foster goodwill between the two countries. He was often lifted and carried in the limousine by Felippe and the two of them became friends.

Shortly after the visiting rugby coach had left, Ellen asked Felippe to deliver her to an official function. In her best dress, high heeled shoes and handbag carefully chosen she drove in state in the rear of the car up the sweeping drive to the front door of the mansion.
Felippe as usual got out and hurried round to open Ellen’s door as protocol demanded.
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Her gracious smile to Felippe changed to one of HORROR as he said quietly as trained by the now departed South African rugby coach in his native tongue, Afrikaans………. ‘roer jou gat’.
(This is a very crude way of saying to put it plainly …and please excuse my language......... ‘move your arse’.)

Learning a new language? 
Dress yourself in humility and put on your ability to laugh at yourself and persevere in the face of difficulty and frustration. 
The upside is that along the way you will gather many stories that will highlight that journey and entertain friends and family for years to come.



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