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

Showing posts with label second language. Show all posts
Showing posts with label second language. Show all posts

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)


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