Getting the Word Out

To my ears, Jip’s speech has become mumblier since we arrived. If I’m right about that, it’s probably because the nerves controlling her mouth muscles are progressively being blocked off and fewer messages are getting through.

But I could be wrong, because I’m in that stage of learning a language where everything sounds like everything else. I often have to say to Jip, “Let’s start over,” because I’m not even sure if she’s speaking English or Thai. Happily, In Thai her words still come out fairly clear – apparently one’s mother tongue originates in a different lobe of the brain. So communication between Jip and the caregivers is relatively easy (although sometimes they shoot me a look that says, “Did you catch that?”).

How about communication between the caregivers and me? When we first met, I thought things were going along wonderfully during the day shift. Then her replacement came, and Jip was taking a nap. In my best Thai, I asked the second one to wait until Jip woke up before going into the bedroom and meeting her. They both nodded, the first one grabbed the second one by the hand, and they both ran giggling into the bedroom. So much for my best Thai.

Jip doesn’t usually get too frustrated by whether people can understand her. More often, her expression says, “What’s the matter with your ears?” But I’m looking forward to a day when I can really talk about everything I’m thinking about. I wish that for Jip, too, even though two-way conversations don’t seem to be her highest priority these days.