Brain activity - sleep

Did you know that when you are in another culture learning another language and surrounded by people always talking in a different language that you get tired quickly? It feels as if you are in a library with walls covered in books each in a different language and subject. As I search for the right word to say from the right language I often feel as if I am looking over all the books and wondering which one to pull off the shelf for just a time as this.

My brain is so very tired after a day out in the community. I am hearing not only Malagasy but French, German and sometimes other languages. The languages intrigue me, draw me in and captivate me. My brain is running a thousand miles a minute, trying not only to understand what is said but figuring out how I can say that very thing again when I need to. I constantly find myself in that virtual library that I described moments ago.

I am learning Malagasy, doing a LOT of listening I am realizing that my brain is working overtime. You should be able to see smoke coming out of my nose and ears!

Once I listen to the Language and catch the tone, stress and actual pronunciation I am also forced in my memory banks to remember how to respond. Meaning what language do I respond in? Sometimes I am even shocked myself at what comes out of my mouth. As words, pronunciations and stresses are starting to stick, my mind is tossed into a whole other world of actually trying to speak this amazing and intricate language.

Last week I responded in Spanish as if it was the spoken language here! Crazy!

Slang is everywhere and most people use it in every day conversation, long words and sentences are shortened and different people have different sayings. People from the North use different words than the people from the high plateau areas and then there are still more people in the south that have other words for things and so on. It seems limitless right now but I know that I will feel comfortable here eventually.

The other day I was in a car with a friend as she started to talk in Malagasy to a Malagasy. I found myself turning to her and asking her if the guard had said what I had thought I had heard. Not because I was being nosy but because I understood most of the words and wanted to check my comprehension. That was fun! I was right and so excited to have understood.

This learning another language is difficult at times but yet very rewarding and I just love seeing the smiles on peoples faces as I try to speak Malagasy in most situations. God is good and I am blessed every day!