language....the one that brings you together...or not...

[smittenbyu]

Have you ever sat with a group of locals (wherever you are), where you don't speak the local language and wished at times, "I want to go home?" I find often times here wishing that even though I enjoy the company the people here are wonderful! The problem is that of language. I am the only one one in the group of 16 people who doesn't speak the particular language. And hence when we are not in class, they sit and relax and one of it is to use a language they are comfortable with. And that's not English (or any one of the few languages I speak :P). So, I have sat through many times, whether it's a group of 3 or 16, where I have no idea of what's going on. In mid-conversation they switch to English and expect me to hop on board immediately with a response. *sigh* It's a constant reminder that I am not from here. And I feel like a fool really, while everyone is laughing away I am the one who looks all confused

Now I would like to learn one of the local languages. That is only normal for me to do. At the same time, there is no venue to actually do this. I have asked everyone I know, they just look at me funny and then offer themselves to teach. I have the learn so-and-so-language in 30 days book, but you can't really do that with Cantonese/Mandarin.

I am in Malaysia....I didn't mention that before, just cause I have experienced this in other places I have been to as well.