Semantics which cause confusion

[THEU]

Hello again everyone. I have been gone from WM for about 2 weeks now. I was on a trip to Kenya and haven't been around. It was truly an eye opening experience. We were working mainly on education and development in the country. Had the privilege of meeting an MP when we were there as well. (MP = member of parliament). I really was unaware that just about everyone in Kenya is tri-lingual. They speech their 'mother tongue' or tribal language, as well as Swahili, and English. All classroom instruction is done in English through standardised curriculum from the government. Primary school is required.
Anyway, when meeting with the MP about education and a dorm at a primary school, he asked us if we were going to visit the town where Obama was born. An odd question seemingly to our American ears. If we were to use the phrase, 'where Obama was born' we would mean where his mother was when she birthed him from her physical body. That is our common understanding of 'born.' That is NOT however the standard understanding of that phrase in Kenya. The term really refers to where Obama's family is from. BIG difference. You can easily see how this is very confusing as people in the US have stated that people on the street in Kenya will tell you Obama was 'born' in Kenya. That is true, but the actual meaning of what they are saying is not as we would understand it at first blush.
Just thought this was an interesting story about semantics that cause further confusion in an totally unintended way, with regards to Pres. Obama's place of birth.

 

[TxStHorn]

Well, I sure as heck hope you had the courtesy - nay, I say - the common decency to learn proficiently their 'mother tongue' or tribal language, as well as Swahili, rather than English! I don't care if some people there can speak it or not!

If you're gonna go to someone else's country to perform some sort of work or service, you'd better learn their language, rather than expect them to speak yours, or else!!!!

Sarcasm aside - what you were doing over there sounds admirable. And the semantic distinction you speak or is extremely interesting, and will be important to know during some discussions, I suspect.

 

[chango]

Wow, TxSt --- way to dick out an awesome thread.

 

[mop]

that really is fascinating Theu! why hasn't anyone told us this before. i wavered between disregarding such reports as conspiracy theory rumors, to thinking they MAY be true, to everything in between…..thanks for the heads up.

 

[RomaVicta]

Thanks for sharing that, Theu. Compliments on your efforts for your fellow man, too.

 

[Oilfield]

Theu, thanks for posting this. Very interesting. Did you go to the town? There was a story of some type of monument there, so I wonder if you saw it.

Previously anyone that mentioned the monument was a nutcase birther, so you may not want to mention seeing it.

 

[THEU]

oilfield,
the town is on the very far western part of Kenya, not really anywhere near where we were at all. So no, we didn't go.

 

[Crockett]

Thanks for the report. Sounds like you are doing good work. Nice objective explanation on the Kenyan 'birth' as well.