Language:Brittany/Bretagne France

Obviously, by now you think I have come to fully appreciate the importance of language. I thought my last trip to Spain was enough motivation to start to learning Spanish…but after one-on- one tutoring, hours of self study, and getting up the nerve to locate any Spanish speaking people in Nashville to practice with, I find myself in Spain speaking English. Yes, there are times where I get on a Spanish speaking kick; Ruben giggles and everyone else still does not know what I am talking about. It was not until I found myself at another dinner…. going back and forth from forcing myself to be involved in the conversation, to daydreaming…again; that it hit me when remembering a comment of Ruben..the importance of language.

I looked at this loving family, friends of Rubens, have welcomed me into their house for 5 days as Ruben and I Holiday in the Brittany/Bretagne France http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brittany

This land famous for crepes and cider has beautiful seaside land for bike rides and hikes.

Reaching from the south near Lorient,

to the villages of Carnac and Quiberton where Neolithic prehistoric (2000 bc) dolmen http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolmen can be explored


to the Northern pink granite cost of Perros-Guirec

and the western tip of Crozon where the beautiful sea side cliffs hide Natzi War bunkers.



Lou, a Spanish women,

met and fell in love with Tom, a French man,

moved from Africa, where they met, to raise their son Joyulie.

Tom, a true Bretagne in view, with his striking features and spirit, is proud of his celtic costal land that still displays their ancient language on all signs.

Able to communicate with Ruben, because Ruben is fluent in French, but unable to communicate with me; Tom does not speak English and understands Spanish as much as I do. Lou, speaks Catalan (a dialect of Spanish), Spanish, French, and a little English. Their son, ( 2 years old) understands French, Catalan, Spanish, and now because of me says a perfect “American” HI!

So many languages at one time, at one table, in one moment, in 5 days; were being communicated repeatedly in all languages so everyone knew what was being said. For what I could not say; I tried to make up by showing my appreciation for their hospitality with a smile, a thank you with my eyes, an attempt to commuicate, and by making food and cleaning the kitchen.

On one of out bike rides, Rueben the master translator wisely said…. “You are lucky that in your country that you can travel to visit friends.. you know, you can go to another state where the food and cluture is different like in Europe; but you are lucky that you all speak english. I never thought of it this way; the “knowledge” of the importance of language was always there, but I took for granted what in America is so common- a common Language.

Amor,
Katelyn