Every year, Jones and I send out an End of Year letter to update our friends and family about what we have been doing for the past 365 days. We try to make it light, short, and put in many photos, as too much text is tiresome. Jones and I live on three continents (me primarily in Africa, Jones a combination of Africa, South America, and North America) so this year’s letter was longer than usual. It is fun to receive replies from our friends, a once per year “catch up.” This year, after I sent the letter out, I had a special response.
My first job out of training was in New Orleans. I worked for Ochsner Clinic and taught pediatric residents at Tulane University. Each year, I volunteered to temporarily “adopt” a non-US graduate student. These were students pursuing a Masters in Public Health, most of whom were physicians in their home countries. My first year I was assigned Aguima Tankoano from Burkina Faso.
I liked Aguima a lot. He was friendly and independent, interested in all aspects of American culture. He enjoyed Thanksgiving, meeting my parents, going to hard jazz, and learning about life in America. He remained in the USA for almost two years. The second year his wife, Nathalie, joined him. This was 1997.
After Aguima’s training was completed, he returned to Africa. He quickly landed a job with USAID and has continued to work with this important organization for the last 20 years. His family (now with two sons) has since relocated to Togo. He directs USAID’s programs in family planning for four countries in West Africa, two of which (Niger and Burkina Faso) have significant terrorist threats. He travels to these areas frequently, risking his own safety to provide family planning services to the population.
When Aguima received our Christmas letter this year he quickly wrote back. He was scheduled to be in the USA this year both before and after Christmas. Could I meet him on 28 December?
When Aguima received our Christmas letter this year he quickly wrote back. He was scheduled to be in the USA this year both before and after Christmas. Could I meet him on 28 December? Well, no. I would be in Brazil. Aguima rearranged his schedule and two days ago I collected him at DC’s National Airport. He is staying in our apartment with me. It is terrific to reconnect. It would have been ridiculous if we had not done so.
A few hours after he arrived, Aguima asked me if it would be okay if we spoke French instead of English. Some of you know that about 10 years ago I worked for MSF/Doctors without Borders, and during that year I spoke primarily French. No problem? We switched to French. He was very forgiving when I made mistakes.
I am trying to learn Portuguese. I have done this as my in laws (who live in Brazil) speak little English. It would be ridiculous of me to enter into their family and demand they learn English. To learn their language, I use a system created by Pimsleur. It is completely verbal. I have no idea how to read or write Portuguese.
Yesterday I completed my one hour Pimsleur Portuguese online lesson and emerged from my bedroom. There was Aguima. I tried to speak to him in French but it was very challenging. What came out was primarily Portuguese, mixed with English. I could not speak correctly any language and could not think well either. Aguima replied in French. Instantly I had no more language confusion. My thoughts became fluid as well. I easily replied to him, using correct grammar. The part of my brain that stores French took over and my words came out smoothly.
I researched what I had experienced and found almost nothing. There is a great deal of literature about how children do not develop language confusion when being raised bilingual. But what about adults? Why was it that I initially could not even think of how to express myself, but once I heard Aguima speaking French, both my thinking and words returned to fluency? Inquiring minds want to know.
