Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass- it is about learning to dance in the rain.

Thursday, May 22, 2008


Do You Mean What You Say?

At a fast food drive in tonight

Employee: Would you like anything else? (with a fairly heavy Spanish accent)

Hubby: That'll do it.

Employee: Would you like anything else?

Hubby: That'll do it.

Me (soto voz): Just tell her "nothing else."

Employee: Would you like anything else?

Hubby: That'll do it.
He drives on to the window to pick up food.

It reminded me of a phrase Ecuadorians use: "Hay no mas." Literally, "There, no more."
The conversation would go like this: (Only I'm translating all but the one phrase)

Me: Would you like more coffee? (Coffee pot in hand)

Ecuadorian #1: Hay no mas (Waves hand over cup indicating no more)

I go to the next guest

Me: Would you like more coffee?

Ecuadorian #2: Hay no mas (smiles at me and nods). I pour coffee.

A young girl from the country worked for us. I could never tell if her "Aye no mas" was a yes or a no. I would finally resort to this:

Me: Aiden, would you like more milk?

Aiden: (Expressionless, motionless) Aye, no mas.

me: Aye, no mas, Si? Or Aye, no mas no?



So I ask you, what other expressions do we use that are vague or can mean either yes or no? (My brain is tired...help me think!!!)

(Apologies to Spanish-speakers, I couldn't get the accents and such to work in this space)


8 comments:

His Girl said...

hee hee

Odd phrases aside...I never realized how hard our language is until i started teaching my kids to read.
so sounds like sew
to sounds like two
do sounds like dew
but sew does not sound like dew

makes no sense!

Anonymous said...

I THINK HIS GIRL'S KIDS ARE ALOT LIKE MINE.....WHY IS DO PRONOUNCED DOO AND GO ISN'T GOO? WHY DOES COOKIE START WITH C INSTEAD OF K? AS FOR YOUR ORIGINAL QUESTION...WHAT ABOUT WHEN SOMEONE SAYS WHATEVER? OR JUST I'M OK? OR MY FAVORITE, IT DOESN'T MATTER? OR THOSE YES'S OR NO'S?

Ramblins of a middle-aged goddess said...

Yes i agree with the other bloggers. The English language is hard when you think about it!! i was trying to help my grandson spell and read and he asked that same question..Why do things start with K when it should be C and so on. Hm!! I guess you just have to learn it. Sandy

PJ said...

I just remembered, my Dad used to say "I don't care if I do." How's that for a convoluted Southern "Yes, please."

Anonymous said...

I got a kick out of this PJ! I can't think of any phrases right now. A lot of times my kids will say "nah" and it sounds like "yah" so I have to ask if they said yes or no.

DC said...

Just wanted to say good luck with your chemotherapy and surgery. I was on chemotherapy last year for my lupus and it was not fun. But you are a strong woman and you will get through this with grace and dignity. My thoughts are with you.

I am a new blogger, so please stop in and say hello if you get a chance!

http://lupuspie.blogspot.com

MissKris said...

Hi...I popped in from "Dishpan Dribble" and it's my first time here. I find it very interesting that you and I, according to our profiles, are the same age...251! Now, what are the odds of that?!? HA! I agree with 'his girl'...some others are rein, rain, reign. There, their, they're; blue, blew. But in other languages, like German, it's figuring out the masculine and feminine so I guess when the good Lord confounded language, He did an excellent job! Please stop by and say hi/high if you get a chance! ;-P

DC said...

Thank you so much for the comment on my blog. I also suffer from neoropathy (no fun!) and, of course, reduced stamina.

Maintaining a good quality of life is so important. It seems like you have a great perspective on things. I wish you the best. Please stay in touch.

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