When Marta first came and started to warm up to us and become playful, someone would say something to her and she would say "are you sure?" Like when a friend came over and they were looking through Jeff's yearbook. The friend pointed to the picture of herself and told Marta "that is me." Marta said, "are you sure?"
Now this has become the saying around here. Nothing like a well placed "are you sure" during dinner conversation to have everyone rolling.
Guess you had to be there...
3 comments:
I completely understand the "are you sure" line. My friend Abeba has a line that she uses. It is, "Ooohhhh...okay." When she says this it means that she doesn't have the slightest idea what you just said but she either doesn't have the energy or interest to figure it out, or she thinks you don't have the energy or interest to help her understand. It cracks me up when she says it because I know full well what it means and she knows that I know. The other day I brought some whipped cream to her for on our bunna and she wanted to pay me for it, which I wouldn't accept. She tried to explain in English that she wanted to pay me so I looked at her and said, "Oooohhhh. Okay." It always makes both of us laugh at each other. Okay, maybe you did have to be there. :)Check out the comments on my blog for a link on how to make starter. I responded to your comment on my blog.
Heather
the only Ethiopian phrase we have picked up with our limited time with our kids so far is a little joke about Wusha Wat. Like Doro Wat, only made with Wusha.....
Our Helen (age 9 in two weeks) often asks, "true or false", meaning is this real or are you kidding me. Now, when she cracks a joke in English, right before she starts giggling ferociously, she says, "Me faaaalllssseee!!! Hahaaha." The language acquisition process can be an interesting (and humorous) thing to watch!
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