When I applied to Northwestern University almost eight years ago (eek, I'm old!) I vividly remember that one of the application's short essay questions was "What is the most important phrase to learn in a foreign language and why?" While most people were probably annoyed that Northwestern couldn't be like other schools and follow the common application, I actually enjoyed answering different questions (which I know makes me a big nerd). And like other Northwestern nerds I gave a very political answer - I said something like "The most important phrase to know is 'thank you' because knowing how to say 'thank you' is polite and therefore reflects well on you and your country while also respecting the culture of the country that you're in."
Yes, I realize this was a lame answer. But the point of my story isn't that I managed to get into Northwestern despite giving a trite answer to an essay question. My point is that I have come to realize that 'thank you' really isn't the most important phrase to know in a foreign language. In fact, Rwandans don't say 'thank you' too often. There is also no commonly used word for 'you're welcome' and if you try to say 'please' it sounds like you're begging. While I still opt to say 'thank you' to everyone (even the really terrible moto drivers), I learned that what might be polite in one culture can sound strange and unnecessary in another.
Taking Kinyarwanda classes has helped me pick up on a lot of these small nuances. The class has also been helpful in every day interactions, especially because I moved here without any ability to speak French or Kinyarwanda. I think learning French will probably be more helpful but the thought of trying to fit another language in my brain seems like too much right now. I still have leftover Khmer from Cambodia, broken Spanish, grammatically incorrect Hindi and Punjabi, and Latin (which isn't even a spoken language) crowding my mind.
The issue of language also brings up an interesting fact about Rwanda - in 2008 the government switched the teaching language from French to English in schools. According to news outlets, the change was seen as a move away from "its former colonial power". Unfortunately as a result, a common complaint among teachers is that the government pushed English on people too quickly. It has resulted in Rwandan teachers trying to teach children a language they just learned themselves, which is obviously very challenging. Luckily most of the people in my office speak English pretty well so I haven't had too many communication problems. However, in the field it can get more complicated.
The issue of language also brings up an interesting fact about Rwanda - in 2008 the government switched the teaching language from French to English in schools. According to news outlets, the change was seen as a move away from "its former colonial power". Unfortunately as a result, a common complaint among teachers is that the government pushed English on people too quickly. It has resulted in Rwandan teachers trying to teach children a language they just learned themselves, which is obviously very challenging. Luckily most of the people in my office speak English pretty well so I haven't had too many communication problems. However, in the field it can get more complicated.
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And just for fun, here are some words and phrases I've found to be most useful to me in Rwanda:
Amakuru (AhMahKooRoo) = How are you? (Literally translated, means 'what's the news?')
Nimeza (Nee MAYza) = I'm fine.
N'ahgahe (NahnGahHay) = How much is it?
Ni menshi (Nee MenShee) = That's too much money.
Coca akonje (CoCah AhConeJay) = Cold Coke (make sure to specify you want it cold, people here like to drink warm soda)
Oya Inyama (OHya EenYahMah) = No meat
Ndashaka (NDahShahKah) = I want...
Yego (YAYgo) = Yes
Oya (OHya) = No
Natakaye (NahTahKaiYay) = I'm lost.
Murakoze (MooRahKohZay) = Thank you :)
I remember those essay questions! I liked the one asking you to plan out an adventure for a day for you and a child using only $10 :)
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