Supplements

Commentary

By Liz Quirin

Learning the Definition of Humility

Going to a different country where you don’t speak the language is a good way to learn humility. You want something, say just a glass of water or a diet soda instead of regular, and you have no idea how to make your desires/needs known. What do you do? I’ve found in my travels that being pretty good at charades, remembering a bit of Latin from my high school days, some of the French I studied in college and a smattering of Spanish I’ve picked up on mission trips from the diocese, can get me into real trouble in some cases and keep me from starving or dying of thirst in other circumstances.

I was introduced to Spanglish recently — a kind of language that takes an English word and adds an “o” or an “a” to make it sound somewhat like Spanish. Many people have adopted this in Spanish-speaking countries as well as this one. For example, you can drive a caro, or buy groceries at the marketo. Some people resent this mixing of the languages, including those who speak English as their first language and see themselves as linguists who know Spanish. The bottom line, I have learned, is to deliver your message so that someone understands what you need and can help you.

This is certainly important if you are lost in a non-English speaking country. Actually, you are not lost. You know exactly where you are, but the people with you can’t find you. Without some charades, sign language and a few key words, you could be looking for your “folks” for an extended period of time.

Consider the parents of young Latino immigrants. I say “the parents” because youngsters learn the language of a country and culture through immersion at school, with their new friends, shopping or a host of other places. Their parents, however, generally don’t find many opportunities to mix and mingle with English speakers unless they take classes or try to find opportunities to step into the American culture. It can be confusing and even frightening, especially for older adults to venture into the unknown.

Most of us don’t travel to other countries alone. We go with a group or at the very least, a guide to keep us from starving or staying “lost” for extended periods of time. We might even consider this an adventure, but not everyone takes this view. If the immigrant comes from the Middle East, we add not only that person’s fear but an unease or fear of Americans since Sept. 11, 2001. We may be welcoming strangers with some trepidation, even if it may be unjustified.

When we learn through our own experiences how it feels to be strangers, to lack the vocabulary and the skill to communicate our needs and our wants to others, it gives us a small insight into the difficulties immigrants face when they come to this country. We need to remember that the next time someone needs a little help without knowing enough English.