So I was talking to a friend who has been up here for about 5 years and she filled me in on a difference between English and Yup'ik that makes a significant difference in some cases. Keep in mind, that there are some up here that are truly bilingual and then there are some that only speak either Yup'ik or English. For those where it's a definite English as a second language situation, think of it much like learning Spanish or French. There are subtle and not-so-subtle differences in language structure that can make things seem disjointed and awkward.
(Please remember grammar is NOT my forte, as anyone who's ever edited a paper of mine will reiterate)
In English, we speak with something similar to verb/action(-article)-noun/subject, e.g. :Jump the Fence" or "He likes/wants ice-cream" (implied noun)
In Yup'ik, thoughts are the other way around, it's noun/subject-verb, e.g. "Ice-cream, you want some?"
I was told of the story of a guy who grew up here and went off to college. He was at a party of some sort and looking to spend some time with a female companion. So as he's sitting there talking to someone, he says,
"F*ck, you want to?"
Now, this is amusing and all, but it explains some glazed over expressions as I've explained some things to parents where English is the second language. If those who speak Yup'ik generally think in Big-picture->Details... it's not going to make sense when I give them the little things that all add up to the point. Or at least, it takes a couple seconds longer to process.
Good things to know to better communicate with those I work with.
No comments:
Post a Comment