Language Misadventures

Why is She Staring at Me Like That?

I wrote previously about the frustrations of learning a new language with an old brain. I also wrote about one of the more touching aspects of the Portuguese language and the Portuguese people. Today, I will amuse you with some recent real-life stories.

What I Came Home To

Yesterday I told you about my time with the cable guy. What I didn’t tell you was that that day was my birthday. And since all the stores are closed, Denise had not bought me a birthday present. But she did think of me…because when I came home I found everything in the apartment labeled with sticky notes. Walls, appliances, furniture, rooms, spices, kitchen items, and food. She claimed it was my birthday present. I think she got tired of me asking her how to pronounce a vegetable or fruit when we are shopping at the Mercado da Vila. In addition to teaching me the word, she color-coded the sticky notes…the yellow are masculine words and the orange are feminine words. (But who decided that coffee was male or that a toaster if female?) It seems to have had some sort of subliminal effect as I know more of these words than I did a week ago. Success!

Did I Mention We Don’t Own a Car?

On a less successful, yet humorous note, permit me to share a story about using a website to schedule an appointment. It turns out our temporary digs are across the street from the Cascais.pt office. This “municipal” office takes care of a lot of the Cascais services including the dispensing of bus passes. As a Cascais resident, local transit is free once you have secured this pass.

Denise hurried over to the building to see what she could learn. An English-speaking man at the door explained that Denise needed an appointment. He even accessed the web page on her phone so she could make an appointment. She hurried home and made an appointment for both of us. Her interpretation of the website suggested we also needed an appointment to register as a resident. So she did that too.

On the appointed day, at the appointed hour with our lease in hand (to prove residency), she smiled and bravely went into the building. While many of the employees in Cascais.pt speak perfect English, hers did not. Having practiced her line repeatedly ahead of time, she explained the purpose of her visit. “Bom dia. Gostaria de me registar como residents, por favor.” (“Good morning. I would like to register as a resident, please.”)

The agent responded, “Qual é o seu número de matrícula?" Denise looked confused. The agent tried to make her request clear. “Para o seu carro.”

“Carro?”, Denise thought. But I don’t own a car!

I wish I had been there to watch this comedy play out. But suffice it to say that Denise had made an appointment for a parking pass. Cascais residents who do not have a garage (and own a car) get parking passes for free as well.

After a few minutes, an English-speaking employee assisted and Denise was home shortly thereafter.

She learned we will need to visit another building first. Off to another adventure!