Ndánk-Ndánk

We dove head first into learning Wolof and man it’s hard to actually use it on the streets, in the family etc. In class is one thing, but actually being able to apply it is another (I guess that’s the same for any language) but this one in particular is tough. I can usually recognize enough of what they are saying to guess (usually correctly) the question that they are asking me but then I have a hard time retrieving the correct response.

During my walk to school I am usually very ‘in the zone’ so as to deter as many side conversations as possible. (today only 2 strangers asked me how I was doing). But who do I see?? Chauffeur!! Not only did I recognize him (he chose today to wear a new boubou) but I took out my earbuds, shook his hand greeted him in wolof, asked him how his night was, then told him that he should have a good day! (to which he chuckled a little). I was so pleased with myself! (still am, clearly…)

The phrase “Ndánk-Ndánk” means “little by little” in wolof and had been my catch phrase since I learned it. When people ask me about anything, life in Africa, the heat, learning wolof, “Ndánk-Ndánk” covers it, implying that I am taking everything as in comes and making steady but gradual progress.

For example: host family bonding: “Ndánk-Ndánk” Last night I had a MAJOR breakthrough with my host nephews (who look older than they are…) last night we were chilling with the tv on in the background and talking about RANDOM STUFF—the night before they were playing with the iglowstick application on my ipod and I’d asked if they had ever seen glowsticks, NO!!? so I went to my room and grabbed 2 for them, big hit!! Last night Moussa (the 8 year old) was still walking around with it! This was handy when the power went out and he treated us to a glowstick spinning show. We talked about the American Flag, Wolof, French, Abdulaye Wade (president of Senegal), Obama (a favorite topic and ice cream flavor around here), voting, Sarkozy, and many more things that I would not have come up in a conversation with 6 and 8 year old Americans.

So far so good, little by little I am getting used to life here and in my family. Ndánk-Ndánk