Lost in Translation ~ A Lesson in Portuguese

I’ve never before experienced a country where every single native person I’ve met apologizes for how difficult their language is ~ and I’ve traveled a lot.

But in more than 500 days here in Portugal, that’s what everyone has told me when I apologize that I am still not yet able to communicate in Portuguese. And they all grew up speaking it!

If they think it’s difficult, how on earth will I ever manage it?

One example of is their confusing way of speaking to you in the third person.

Here’s an example ~

While out walking Kiitos one day, I paused at Senhora Carvalho’s house to say “que linda!” (how beautiful) while gesturing at the abundance of flowers she has in and around her house.

She nodded appreciatively and said (according to the translation app on my phone), “Tell the lady I will be happy to give her some small potatoes once they finish blooming.”

I looked around. There was no one else anywhere near us. And who said anything about potatoes!?

And then I remembered, “o senhor” (the mister) and “a senhora” (the lady) are the formal way of addressing the person you are speaking to if you don’t know them well, even if they are standing right in front of you. To the Portuguese, this shows respect.

As to the small potatoes? That may have been an issue with the app I was using, which has a mind of its own and often comes up with amusing and off-the-wall translations.

In this case, I think she was talking about the bulbs ☺️

© original art by Kristin Fellows

More of my little illustrations about daily life in Portugal are coming soon ~ subscribing is free, unless you feel like paying ☺️