debka_notion: (Default)
debka_notion ([personal profile] debka_notion) wrote2006-02-24 03:16 pm

Invasion

I just had an invasion of small Arabic-speaking children- the 2 from downstairs. They just came on in, and started playing with the computer: luckily they didn't get to anything vital. They're adorable, and I'm fairly sure that they were trying to explain things so I'd understand, but I was only getting the occasional question word or very very basic vocab. It was a slightly anxious experience- they didn't really listen to me, probably since the only word I could use was "laa". But they were adorable, and it was sort of fun anxiety for a bit. And then their mother came to get them, and I was relieved, although they seemed pretty unhappy with being routed from here. Ahh, adventures.

[identity profile] shirei-shibolim.livejournal.com 2006-02-24 08:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Most small children don't respond very well to ﻻ, regardless of language.

[identity profile] debka-notion.livejournal.com 2006-02-24 09:14 pm (UTC)(link)
That's for sure. But sometimes it works reasonably well given repetition and seriousness from the adult-type. Not so much this time.

[identity profile] shirei-shibolim.livejournal.com 2006-02-24 09:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Maybe you should learn how to steal someone's nose in Arabic, assuming that it translates. (How old are these kids, anyway?)

[identity profile] debka-notion.livejournal.com 2006-02-24 10:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Hose? (garden or stockings?) Or House?

They look like they're in the 3-4 range, although they're remarkably articulate, as far as I can tell without really knowing the language.

[identity profile] shirei-shibolim.livejournal.com 2006-02-26 05:17 am (UTC)(link)
Hose? (garden or stockings?) Or House?

Er . . . what? Where did that come from, and what does it mean?

[identity profile] debka-notion.livejournal.com 2006-02-26 07:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Ahh- I read "nose" as "hose" and was quite, quite confused.

[identity profile] margavriel.livejournal.com 2006-02-26 12:49 am (UTC)(link)
But they like using it themselves. My grandmother (שליט"א) has told me that my mother's first word was "nein!".