Bamako Malians all seem to speak at least 2 languages(typically French and Bambara), but many speak another for whatever reason, be it what was spoke in their village or they lived in another region at one point. The result of this is the ability to grasp a language easily begins at an early age. They can keep picking them up as they go much easier than someone never really exposed to another language at a young age.
I'll never forget several of the older Peace Corps Volunteers I've been exposed to who really struggle with the language during their service. I'm convinced this is because, as Americans, we're rarely taught at a young enough age, another language. As we grow older, the ability to understand learning another language becomes harder as we haven't flexed those mental muscles ever. I'm assuming here, there is no research I'm basing this on...
Being abroad, I'm becoming one of those people who use French or Bambara words often in my English, sometimes doing the ever annoying, "I forget the word in English..." I'm also resolving myself, again, to the fact that all of us need to be proficient in another language. Unfortunately, the best way to do so is to immerse oneself in another culture where its necessary to learn, and such opportunities are tough for many to come by. Shameless plug for a friend's organization, if you want to help kids have experiences abroad that couldn't, visit here...
So do what you can: Listen to a podcast, watch some Telemundo, volunteer for a refugee organization or one that serves a cultural group. And make language one of those things you make your kids learn, show that its a priority by learning yourself at any age. The world is becoming smaller and exposure to another culture allows us to grow our perspective in so many aspects of our lives. It makes us stronger, more confident and allows us to be better problem solvers. Don't let not needing to learn one a reason not to.
So, here I'll try to continue to offer some words in Bamabara (there's not a Podcast for it...yet) that you can impress your friends with. I'll always write it phonetically.
Simple greeting in Bambara, the standard exchange, Bamako style(much more in depth in many rural situations)
In ee sogoma Good morning
" " til-ay Good afternoon
" " woola Good evening
" "su Good night
Ee ka ken-ay? How are you
Torro see tay I'm fine
Somogo bay dee? How's your family
Torro see toola They're fine
Then you switch places depending on which side of the conversation you were on. I'm also often asked
Den/Kimberie ka ken-ay? How's your baby/Kimberie(Marshall's evolving Malian name)
Ee chay/Papou ka ken-ay? How's your man/Papou(Ian's Malian name)
To which I give one of three responses
Torro see ta-la He's fine
Bash ee tala He's got no problems
A ka ken-ay kos-e-bay He's doing great
And then after a wee bit of small talk we say our good byes. If the other person is leaving me I say
K'an boo foe Tell them hi
and they respond
Ooh na men I will
If they are staying put I say K'an ben Goodbye.
So there you go. You are more fluent in Bambara now than when you first started! I'll try to keep up the lessons.
Happy days to all
