Language Lessons:

Hein translated instructions for cooking sausage for me, which always makes me feel rather foolish after as long as I've been cooking and what he was saying didn't make sense. Anyway, he went for a nap and I thought I'd give this "different" sausage a try. Rather than ask him again what he meant, which would mean either not having the sausage or waking him (both unacceptable) I decided to get my books out and translate.

Things went fine till I got to a word which translated "run over" (as with a horse)!!!!!!!! When he got up, I translated the whole instructions for him except for that word. Apparently, I had mistaken one letter for another. The word actually meant "preparation time". LOL

My word for tomorrow morning when he comes home is the Dutch word for 88. Sounds like a series of clearing your throat 3 times. Don't know how it's spelled yet, but it's something like "ochtentachtech". Those cht's aren't pronounced like "tach" (tachometer) or "tech" (technical). You say the "t" and then clear your throat!! I'll never get it.

Then he wrote down a word they have that has EIGHT consonents in a row!!!! Lord Help Me! How's this one - "angstschreeuw" (means anxious scream) - count 'em- EIGHT! And a word with SEVEN vowells! "koeieuier" (means cows udder). Anything with a "je" at the end means a small one. Like - kop koffie (cup of coffee), while "kopje koffie" means small cup of coffee!

The other day, we were at Hein's Parents house. His two sisters and two of his Brothers were there - all carrying on a heated discussion. Hein's Father asked me (tongue in cheek) if I were enjoying the conversation. I responded, "Absolutely, and I"m also impressed with how wonderfully all of you have learned Dutch!"

And I won't talk about the people here who even speak better English than I do.

NOTE:

acht en tachtig - that's how you say eighty-eight and I've mastered it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

QUIPS INDEX

Home      News      Announcement      Amersfoort      Travels
Flowers      Wedding      Quips      Guest Book      Site Contents

Contact:  editor@hollandvoice.net

Copyright: Rollie Braam - 2000