Thursday, September 9, 2010

The Last Straw

 Zulma, my friendly El Salvadorian barista

In the past when I've dabbled with other languages, I lived in or was visiting the host country of each language. Asking store clerks, neighbors, even random passerby "how do you say..." or "what is...." almost always gets me a straight answer. (No one is safe from my inquiring mind!)

Regrettably, I'm not as successful learning Spanish here in America. Not everyone here speaks Spanish, and those that do are from an array of countries - which means a mish-mash of dialects - resulting in a variety of answers per word.

This weekend I wanted to learn how to ask for a "straw" in Spanish. (Thank goodness my favorite Starbucks drink is universally pronounced in English! Instead of having to learn "decaf-grande-white-chocolate-mocha" in a dozen languages, I just have to learn the accoutrements like extra-hot, no-whip, and of course, straw.

Which brings me to Zulma, pictured above.

She is first generation American, her family having immigrated from El Salvador. Zulma happily (as you can see from her smile) told me that in El Salvador I would ask for una pajilla.

Next up was Miguel at Walmart, who stammered and said, "Sorry I don't speak Spanish!" Then he hastily added, "I think my Gramma calls it a sorbe...but, uh, she also calls the baby bottle that, too." We agreed that "sorber" could possibly mean "sucky thing".

Third time's a charm, right? Not necessarily. Mister-Stranger-on-the-street advised me to ask for a popote. Unfortunately, I kept saying poputa. *blush!*

Next time I need a straw? I think I'll just point.

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