Language Immersion

We were invited to a "work" party last weekend. I say that in quotes because when we arrived Brandon quickly realized we were the only work people to show up... the remaining 50 people were the village neighbors and friends of the party host. ALL Czech, NONE speaking English (with the exception of one English/Italian couple). Thankfully, they had rented a bouncy castle for the kids, so Brandon and I spent most of the evening stationed at the entrance to the castle.

It's funny, we realized quickly how far we have progressed with our Czech language lessons, but how incredibly useless it is. Once we get past the "hellos" and "My name is....", does ANYONE ever really ask "How old are your parents/siblings/pets and where do they live?" or "What did you prepare for dinner last night? And what time did you go to bed? What time did you get up?" If they did, we could've had some grand 5-minute conversations.... as long as the Czechs didn't respond in any way. Then we'd have to apologetically reply, "I'm sorry. I speak English". Translation: "That's as far as our conversation is going to go. My 'Czech' act has come to a conclusion because you have reached the limits of my conversing abilities in two minutes."

Lydia, however, is quite comfortable in these situations. We noticed that she was perfectly at ease in the castle, jumping, bouncing and banging body parts with multitudes of Czech-speaking children. A few 6-year-old girls were drawn to Lydia and very intent on talking to her, VERY close to her face (personal space is not as expansive here). She just sat there, enduring their speeches with a blank look on her face. Then calmly just turned away, stood up and resumed jumping.

Ah, the simplicity of communcation at the age of 2. Would it work to respond in that manner as an adult? We'll have to give it a try sometime.... if only they'd allow us into that bouncy castle!!!

Who needs words anyway?

Queen of the castle. While Czech kiddies fall by the wayside, she just keeps going and going and going.....