Who would have thought there'd be a language barrier between two English speaking countries? Haha! I listen to Ethan and his friend, Rebecca, playing and every so often, I'm sure they're speaking different languages. Or at least, I think *they* think so. Sometimes they can figure out what the other means, but mostly, they just give each other the blank stare, or a confused look when the other says something they aren't familiar with. For instance:
Rebecca says "nappy". Ethan says "diaper".
Ethan says "ketchup". Rebecca says "tomato sauce" (emphasis on to-MAH-to)
Rebecca says "dungarees". Ethan says "overalls".
Ethan says "tank top". Rebecca says "singlet".
Rebecca says "heaps". Ethan says "lots".
Ethan says "flashlight". Rebecca says "torch".
Rebecca says "ice block." Ethan says "popsicle".
And it goes on and on. I am forced into the role of translator, not always because they ask, but because I know they aren't understanding each other, and I want to make things clearer for them. And I find it interesting that not only is Ethan adopting some "kiwi" lingo, but Rebecca is adopting some of ours. I'll hear Ethan say nappy, heaps, or torch. Then the next time I see Rebecca, she'll ask me if I'm going to change Silas' diaper. It's amusing. Hopefully, when we come home to visit someday, we won't have to re-translate for Ethan. Heh.
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