The Sprog is coming across a lot of Tetun speakers in her life.
What is Tetun? It’s the language of Timor-Leste. It’s one of the official languages (the other being Portuguese, though people say that most of the population can’t speak it fluently).
Our nanny speaks Tetun. Our cleaner speaks Tetun. Our driver speaks Tetun. The staff on our estate speak Tetun. People in shops speak Tetun.
So we have been trying to reinforce to the Sprog the bare minimum of words in order to show her respect to the people who help her out in everyday life (i.e. the people she annoys the crap out of, day in, day out!)
The problem is that the Sprog doesn’t quite get her pronunciation right at times.
The word for thank you is ‘Obrigada’ (for women). The Sprog, however, says, ‘Avocados’.
The word for goodbye is ‘Adeus’. The Sprog, however, says, ‘Have a juice’.
I was despairing to a mum from the school about the Sprog’s inability to hear me distinguish between ‘Obrigada’ and ‘Avocado’.
The mum said, ‘At least it’s not as bad as my kids. Instead of Obrigada, they used to say “Bicardi”. No reflection on my drinking habits, of course.’
Ah kids.
This gave me a good laugh. Miss that cheeky Sproglette.
It’s very cute. One day the language just clicked though and she seemed to realise that other people have a different way of talking… It’s kind of interesting to see it unfolding in her head.
This is awesome!! Haha!! Gave me a good laugh too!
She’s a little character
That’s cute. I’d say avocadoes too š
Of course you would, Gary “Food is my middle name” Lum
Hehe funny x
Oh man- this made me laugh so much!!
Stunning photographs! Your girls are absolutely gorgeous. I think grey is a colour, my mum describes hers as grey.
Despite the fact Mr O and I both have brown eyes, Miss O has intense blue eyes that melt your heart. There must be some kind of genetic theory behind eye colours but stuffed if I know what it is?
Good to see you here again! It’s been a while! You should write down all of the Sprog’s sayings…She’ll get a good laugh when she’s older.