Filed under: Chapter 1: Shock & Awe
Meet Mel and his Senegalese friend Tafaa (teaching tools used to help illuminate the world of Wolof). As if the racial divide weren't already completely evident, the comically painted characters only serve to heighten the divide. Seriously--yellow hair and white skin? OK...
e-two, etc. I guess in Africa they only needed to count to five? It does pose problems when you want to say, for instance, 68, which translated directly sounds like five-one-ten-five-two. If you were following, that is five plus one times ten plus five plus two—67!!! Go Wolof!!! On that same note, they were also optimistic enough not to make a word for zero because the chalice is always half full in Senegal. Here’s a little sampling for you to enjoy:
Laayila. Toubab bi degg na Wolof. Alhamdulillay. Translated that means “My Lord. This white person speaks Wolof! Amen!” We haven’t established if Toubab is a derogatory name for white people here but everyone uses it (OK, say it over and over again in your brain. Toubab Toubab Toubab “too-bob” because I’m planning on bringing it back to the states with me. So when you hear someone say “Me and my Toubabs were walking down the street” just remember that you have Christopher Katsaros to thank for that. You’re welcome, in advance). That last part of the phrase, Alhamdulillay, is my favorite word. I bust it out at inappropriate times because Africa really calls for an Amen every once and a while (like when things work). It’s also written on all the busses here which, judging by the ragity look of these buses, it really is a testament to God that they actually still work, hence the Amen. Praise be to Jesus. Or Muhammad. Or Budda. We’re really all-welcoming here in Africa.
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