SPEAKING IN TONGUES IN A FOREIGN LAND
QATAR’S population numbers only an estimated 2.7 million people – but that figure spans 87 nationalities at last count. Factor in the different dialects, accents and turns of phrase of many of those nationalities, and what you might think is a simple conversation in English can feel more like an episode of classic sitcom
Mind Your Language.
“Hi Ridwaan, how ya going?” The question, as I arrive at the office, comes from Mark, an Australian who recently joined the company. Or, as he normally introduces himself to people, Maaaark.
“Hi Mark,” I reply, somewhat confused. “Um, have I missed something? Where am I meant to be going? Is there a meeting I’m supposed to attend?”
He bursts out laughing. “Sorry Ridwaan, I was just asking how ya are – you know, how ya feeling this morning, how ya going. Just having a bit of a chinwag. Anyhow, have a good one.”
I settle in at my desk and start checking emails. Up pops a reminder – I actually do have somewhere to be right now. I call Ross, an American colleague who scheduled our meeting.
“Hi Ross, running a little late, sorry. Can we meet just now? Thanks, appreciate it.”
As I look through my calendar, my mind goes back to my chat with Mark. Why can’t the Aussies just say howzit, like everyone else? I don’t have time to dwell on it. The phones rings. It’s Ross. “Hi Ridwaan. I don’t mind shifting our meeting if you’re busy,” he says, sighing ever so slightly.
“But we agreed to do it just now, didn’t we?”
There’s an awkward silence, before Ross replies: “Yes, that’s what you said – we’d meet right now. But you didn’t come, so I assumed you got caught up in something else. No problem, let’s do it later.”
Ah, this time it’s the South African lingo which has caused confusion. Instead of trying to explain that “just now” means “later”, I simply apologise and thank Ross for rescheduling.
Realising I have some free time now, rather than just now, I decide to grab a quick coffee. On the way out, I run into Rajeev, the company’s Indian finance manager.
“Hi Rajeev, can I interest you in a cappuccino?” This time there’s no turn of phrase to muddle matters, only a distinct roll of the head and beaming smile before he answers his ringing cellphone. Unable to figure out if Rajeev is saying yes or no, I decide I’ll just play it safe and buy him a coffee anyway. Which, I find out when I get back to the office, was not what Rajeev was trying to tell me.
In a country where expats comprise the majority of the population, it’s easy for something to get lost in translation. Even when nothing is said, it seems.
Bawa, a former newspaper executive editor and magazine editor, is writing a weekly column about the life and experiences of a proud South African living as an expat in Qatar. Follow him on Twitter @ridwaanbawa
In a country where expats comprise the majority of the population, it’s easy for something to get lost in translation