Jag säger.....

Oh, the joys of language learning.  So here we were, about 3 weeks into being here, and the kids in the neighborhood were beginning to feel “at home” with us ~ whatever at home might mean!  We were beginning to say simple sentences like “how are you, what is your name, how old are you?”  But that was just in the safety of our apartment with our Swedish host family, where we were also reading children’s story books to help us learn Swedish pronunciation.

Our Swedish family ~ Agneta (in back) and Malin ~ when we're not at home studying Swedish, we can be easily found outside enjoying God's creation

The playground just outside the apartment where we often meet Ali

The view from our current home ~ playground where we meet loads of kids who love to play lots of football (European version of soccer)

One day, as we were going out for a walk, there was a young boy, oh about 10 years old, who came up to us because we had say “hej hej” (Swedish for hello!)  He came with his ever curious and eager face and started to speak Swedish, rather quickly, with us.  Except there was one big problem:  we were by ourselves, no translator, and we weren’t exactly tracking with him. 

He repeated his sentence again, and again, and then said, quite loudly “Jag säger….” (Swedish for “I am saying”).  At that moment, we totally recognized his frustration.  He was trying to ask us something, thinking we must be able to speak Swedish, and when he couldn’t get his point across, he just stopped and said it louder….with insistence….

We both chuckled, then tried to come up with the words for “what is your name?”  Vad heter du?  His prompt reply was “Jag heter Ali”.  And a big grin.  Oh, maybe these people do speak some Swedish….which wasn’t exactly the case, but at least we were feeling pretty good about being able to correctly say What’s your name!

Fast forward 2 weeks, and we have now finished 6 days of intensive Swedish classes.  When we met Ali out in the playground yet again, I went up and boldly asked “Hej hej Ali, hur är läget?”

(Hi Ali, how’s it going?)  Imagine his surprise now on his face:  “Jättebra, tack” was his reply (really well thanks!)  Then I said “jag pluggar svenska i skolan.  Hur är min svenska nu?” (I’m studying Swedish at school.  How’s my Swedish now?)   A moment of thoughtful pondering, then Ali squeaked out “bra”.  (good).  I think that Ali is a boy of few words!

Working on learning the Swedish version of my favorite Lina Sandell hymn ~