All About Langauge

Oh the beautiful art of communication. Most of us aren't so good at it even in our own tongue, but here, and in the rest of the world, knowledge over language opens great doorways. In Senegal, the majority of the people speak Wolof, which is also the name the region's dominant ethic group. There are many other groups and languages, however. And two people from Senegal who do not speak the same language will have a difficult time communicating because they share little or nothing in common (linguistically, Mariah). The news, especially the radio, where most people get there news is in a variety of languages.
There is an ongoing debate over whether Wolof should be the country's oficial national language, which is now French. (In fact, during a presentation in one of my classes on campus, I learned that only 10% of Senegalese are fluent -can read and write- French, most of them living in Dakar). This would make sence, except some minorities (mainly the Pulaar, I'm told) beleive that this would empower the Wolof too much. French would probably still be necessary for international relations, and is already woven into Wolof for practical reasons.
Speaking of French, mine is coming along. Let's just say the French would scoff, but fruck the fench...(sorry Greg and his mom) At first I had alot of trouble because I have only taken a year, but now sometimes I forget that I am speaking it, because even when I get stuck I have to continue explaining in French, you know? But the annoying thing is that I cannot speak Spanish now without polluting it with French!!! My English has gone downhill too...

I get the impression that former tubab host-students living at my house spoke alot better French. My host mother likes to use it around the house because she wants the kids to speak it well. Other host families push the Wolof. And they can be quite critical if you are not picking it up. But even if this isn't the case, there is basic societal pressure to speak Wolof. First, prices drop substantially if you approach a taximan or vendor in Wolof. I've been paying less for everything over the last month. Second, everyone talks to you in Wolof. On the street, in your neighborhood, the family, house guests. They like to challenge you, even when they know you have no idea what they're saying. You have to be smooth and not just sit there and act embarrassed when you don't understand. You know, you make a joke and then ask them to explain.
My buddy Mahmoud from Boulder occassionally posts comments on the cite in Wolof. He will write expressions a bit differently than I, but here I will give you a crash course in Wolof. Lesson one is the greeting, which goes on for a long time. A Gambian man told me "Mandinga (another language) greeting is long. Sometimes they can ask even about the cooking pot."

Important things to know: the pronunciation of 'x' is tricky to explain, but in they book they describe it as 'between an h and a k'. Salamelekum, inchala, and alxumdulila are Arabic words- you can google them easily, although I spell them wrong here for the purpose of phonetics.

Salamelukum-Peace be upon you. (hello)

Malekum salam-

Nanga Def?- How are you?

Mangi fi.- I am fine.

Yow nak, nanga def? - And you?

Mangi fi rekk, alxumdulila. - I am fine, thanks to the grace of God.

Ana wakur ga?- How is the family?

Nungi fi- They are fine.

Naka afeer yi?- How are things (les affairs) going?

Mungi dox- They go.

.........

Baax naa, ba chi kanam, inchala.- Very good, I'll see you later, god willing.

And you should know all of that, at least, in Senegal. Oh yah, "jerejef" -thank you, and "nyokobok"- we share it (you're welcome).