Saturday, July 13, 2013

Bad Grammar

Zambians have plenty of sayings that aren't exactly grammatically correct, but, when one is trying to explain something to a Zambian child, it makes more sense sometimes to say it the way they would say it. So here's what happened this morning:

Grade 3 student: Whoa Miss Garcia, what's wrong with your hand? 

Me: Oh...just a rash (really, it's eczema, and it's just irritated by the dry season).

Grade 3 student: Why is it like that?

Me: Well, it's "paining me". (Zambian expression)

Grade 3 student: It's paining you, or it's hurting you?

Me: What's the difference?

Grade 3 student: "Paining you" is bad grammar Miss Garcia!

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