Speaking of Bloopers . . .

I posted last week about my recent missionary bloopers.  And on the Baptist Missionary Women blog, they are linking up their language bloopers this week.  It caused me to remember my very worst language blooper in Swahili and one of my most embarrassing moments.

Last year during language school, our teacher, Ndelegwa, would come to our house four days a week for three hours a day to teach us.

Then one day a week, usually on Tuesdays, we would go to Hekima Language School for our language class.  This gave us the opportunity to use our Swahili with the other students and some of the other teachers there.

 

Well, one Tuesday, I really embarrassed myself while talking with some of the teachers at Hekima.  I was telling them about when BJ and I were courting in Bible College.  The Swahili word for “college” is “chuo”.  The problem is that you only have to change one letter in that word to get different words.  For example, “chui” is leopard, and “choo” means restroom.  So, yes, you’ve probably guessed what I said.  I was telling them all about our courtship, and, unfortunately, I misidentified the location of our year and a half long courtship!  They burst out laughing, and I realized my mistake!  I felt my cheeks flush deep red as I tried to regain my composure!  Talk about most embarrassing moments!  I guess every missionary has "growing pains" when it comes to learning the language, but that one was BAD!!!  I will never forget it.