Kenyan Speak

Most of the people here in Kenya speak English.  However it is there second or third language.  Most have their native tribal language and Swahili before learning English.  Even grade 2 or 3 kids may be trilingual. 

So, since it’s ETL (English as a third language) and not even ESL (English as a second language) I must give them credit for how well they speak.  But it is still frustrating at times on their lack of precision.  Not necessary on the pronunciation, but on the generality of the word used or the meaning.  Q: Where do you live? A: Just there.  Q: How far? A: Not far. These may not be the best examples, but give you a little of the feel.  Even asking very specific questions tend to solicit general replies. 

At first I thought it just must be there level of English that is the matter.  Then it struck me the other day.  How precise is there native language?  I asked Steve and he said that Luo, the language of the local tribe, is simplistic and general.  In some cases, one Luo word might be used for different English words.  For example, love, friendship, respect all have the same Luo word associated with them. 

It just is frustrating for me, the more analytical type to not get more precise answers sometimes.

Another aspect of Kenya speak is that they tend to go on and on, repeating in just a slight variation the same thing over and over and over and over.  This can make what could be a 30 second conversation last 5 minutes.  I don’t know if this comes from the culture, the lack of knowing precise English, or they just like to hear themselves talk.  This is by no means universal, and it may be that it is actually just a few, but they make such an impact that it stands out.

Mr Gwala the headmaster here at CGA is a great example.  This morning he had something to tell the staff and request that they stay after chapel, he had something to tell them, it would just take 3 minutes.  Five minute pass, then ten, at about 12 minutes after his intro into the topic in general terms, he finally details what the topic is.  Fortunately the pace picks up at this point  We pass 20 and 25 minutes, finally at 29 minutes he finishes. 

Breaking news break – Joyce just found me hiding in the manager’s office typing this.  She just got asked to present awards to seventh grade for the results of the Hexagon Tests results.  What an honor.  I probably missed out on my opportunity to do the same by slinking off to hide.  Of course she was not told ahead of time, and when they motioned to her, she thought it was the person next to her.  Oh, the reward was one small piece of candy.

Back on topic now.  Mr Gwala is probably the extreme.  I think anytime I’ve heard him address a gathering, the minimum time has been 10 minutes.  But that was a very short one for him.

Well so much for now.  I’m going to try and post these blogs now.  I still need to write up something on the state of technology here and in particular my use and perspective of it.

Reporting from the managers office,

Paul