stargazer_jq

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I felt bad for my Uncle today. I help my family out when they have a problem understanding business letters; I think it's the dry wording. If they don't understand something, they usually call me. Especially if they have to respond, they tell me what they want said and I write it out or tell them how to say what they want to say. It's kind of been a blessing in disguise because through out high school, I was always insecure of my vocabulary. I spoke Korean when I was little but my English fell behind, so my teachers convinced my Mom to stop talking to me in Korean. I don't blame that experience, I can still read and understand Korean afterall, but it was an insecurity for me. After high school, my Mom's family started coming to me to help them with their English and business correspondence, which I know for a fact helped me learn quite a bit. ANYWAY, my Uncle called because he received a confusing letter from a business saying he owed $4,000. I explained to him that I think it was a mistake (my uncle is very comfortable and has no debt, loans, etc., and is retired) and that I would look over it for him. He let out a heavy sigh and thanked me. I asked him what was wrong and...it wasn't a complaint about me, it was more of disappointment in himself...he said he "has to depend on his niece for everything." I tried to convince him not to feel bad about it. He and the rest of the family are very insecure about their English and unfortunately, they've read in the paper or heard others say things along the lines of "if you can't speak the language, get out." I admit, I get irritated with heavy accents I can't understand...especially over the phone. However, when I watch people try to communicate with my Grandmother and realize she doesn't speak English or to my Uncle and get frustrated because he doesn't understand, my irritation with their reactions and my broken, high expectations of them treating my family like adults despite the language barrier, reminds me that we are all human.  Something else that confuses them...their schools taught the "Queen's English"...not American. When they came here, they've all expressed that we speak a very different English.

thatpotteryguy

My Unitarian Jihad Name is: The Shotgun of Love and Mercy.

Get yours.

attack_laurel

I blame everyone who is panicking over Pennsic for my panic attack this morning.

I have nothing that isn't under control, but I keep getting madly anxious every time I read my f'list, dammit. So you all need to stop panicking - Pennsic will happen, and you will all be fine.

Mind you, I have tons of outfits. *smirky smirk* You may smack me now.