Difference

I was just reading Monkey’s post, and at first I had to re-read what she meant when she wrote “See You Next Tuesday”… Then I got it and it reminded me of something I’ve said once and how embarrassed I was without really knowing why.

As you (may) know, I’m French-Canadian. My mother tongue is French. My parents never spoke a word of English, nor did they understand it, even if they owned businesses and all. I picked up English first while playing with kids in the alley behind our restaurant. Then a bit in school, the basics like “Kick the ball, Sandy” – “All right, Tom!” type of thing. When I got into high school, I was told my English was good (go figure!) and they put me into an advanced class. After a few classes they reviewed my case and re-assigned me to a beginners class (mucho better ‘cause I couldn’t understand a thing!). My English got better and ended back in the advanced group. I had a few English friends; they could hardly speak French, which was great. I got to practise a lot.

Hubby and I were members of a badminton club, and one girl, who became a friend, had just moved here from England. Often we would compare the way we’d say things, and how different the same language was being use. She had expressions that I loved, and that’s not even talking about her accent.
One day while we were sitting on the bench waiting for our match, I mentioned something and wanting to be proper used the “See You Next Tuesday”. She was in shocked, and let me so. She told me how much she despised that word, etc. I was just sitting there; completely unaware of what I had said wrong, and why she was so upset. I was quite embarrassed, and it showed. I could have directed a plane for landing with my face alone it was so red! She then proceeded to explain how that word “See You Next Tuesday” was used and in what way. Even if it was the “proper” term, it meant something completely different. Now I get that “difference”, but back then I didn’t know.

Since I’ve been be Hubby my English improved a lot. At home we mostly speak English (for some reason), maybe because I used to give my karate classes in English, worked in English, only watched TV in English (except Sunday night for “Tout le monde en parle”). When I started teaching karate the body parts I knew (in English) weren’t that commonly used in karate, so… at times I was having a hard time. The students were great and would often help me complete my sentences or correct me.

Once I wanted the guys to do some bag work, to toughen up their tibias. So once the bags were hooked up and the guys lined up, I gave them their instructions. One guy, older man by maybe 10 years, started hitting the bag with his face. I stopped the class, walked up to him, and asked why he was doing that. He simply answered, “Because you said so”. I had said to hit the bags with their chin, when I meant to say shin… Now I know the difference!

Isn’t it funny how things can get twisted around, how one little word can change the whole “mood” or context? It’s all a question of tongue and how well one can use it.

Or is that a question of language?!

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Explanation of "See You Next Tuesday", another way to spell CUNT