Adventures in Language learning: you fuc-a-me

small garlic

This is J. I felt it important to share this humerus and slightly disturbing language learning adventure today. Mid day I went out to buy some garlic cloves for dinner tonight and there were some local woman selling spices on the side of the road. I bought some okra and was going to buy some garlic but didn’t have small bills. I walked to a local corner store (ducan) and bought garlic there. When I had change I walked back to buy garlic from the woman. After purchasing her garlic a girl of about 10years came up to me and said, “you fuc-a-me” and held out a five Sudanese pound bill (this is equivalent to $1.24 USD).

I was slightly troubled did I just get solicited by this ten year old girl? Thinking I heard her wrong I said, “tahni?” (or again?). Once again she said, “you fuc-a-me”. Hmmm I heard her right. I saw an older woman laugh and thought I might be in a bad situation really fast I said, “no..noo…I need to go home” and waved my finger back and forth in the air as I spoke. As I walked home I thought to myself did I just get solicited by a ten year on the streets of Melut?

Once returning home I saw Eli, who understands quite a bit more Arabic then me. I proceeded to tell him that a 10 year old girl was trying to solicit something and wanted five pounds. When I explained that she said, “you-fuc-a-me” Eli laughed.  He went on to explain that ” fuc-a” means to change.  The little girl wanted five one Sudanese pounds in exchange for her five Sudanese pound bill.  That is one word I will not have to write on an index card and memorize for it has been burned into my memory. I now feel safe walking the streets of Melut again.  That is it for now.

-J

7 thoughts on “Adventures in Language learning: you fuc-a-me

  • 16 July, 2013 at 4:20 am
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    Somehow I think you’re not the first westerner fooled by this. How many times have we done this to foreigners and were oblivious I wonder.

  • 21 July, 2013 at 6:40 pm
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    That’s funny! Glad you got that misunderstanding straightened out. 🙂

  • 21 July, 2013 at 7:50 pm
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    Hahahaha! I could see your face in my mind as you told this story. Oh the many adventures you still have ahead of you, big and small. Love you guys!

  • 22 July, 2013 at 4:04 pm
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    Love it J. You have been blessed with an amazing wife and family. I know the Melut people, even tho they we laughing, they are truly blessed to have you, Abook and your family in Melut. Love you guys.

  • 23 July, 2013 at 2:18 pm
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    OMG ! (gosh) what a story. Get busy J and learn more of the language.!! Praying for protection and understanding.

  • 23 July, 2013 at 3:41 pm
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    This is Kay. Hmmmm…Oh my! Sounds like a set-up to me:) OK, more prayer on our end…and more STUDY on yours! May the GOD of all languages and all peoples bless you richly.

  • 25 July, 2013 at 8:24 pm
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    Hehe. Thank you for sharing!

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