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  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Events
    • Staff and Leadership
    • Join Our Team
    • News & Stories
    • Contact
  • Immigrant Services
    • Who We Serve
    • Resettlement
    • Employment
    • Green Card/Citizenship
    • Technology Empowerment
    • Education Classes
    • Request Volunteer Support
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer With Us
    • Volunteer Resources
    • Regional Sites
    • Trainings
  • Get Involved
    • Community Support
    • Church Toolkit
    • Rent To Refugees
    • Hire Immigrant Neighbors
    • Advocate
    • Give Items
  • Donate

Crossed-Wires: Laughing at my Language Error

April 28, 2022

When our Good Neighbor family first arrived, we had an Arrive staff person, Akram working with us as an Arabic translator at the first few meetings.

[pullquote style=”right” quote=”light”]


the family would laugh so hard, and would say ‘No, no that’s the translator.’


[/pullquote] As we got to know each other, the Syrian family was teaching me how to say phrases like “thank you” (shukran) and “you’re welcome” (afwan) in Arabic.

One time Akram wasn’t there, and for “thank you” I would say it correctly as “shukran,” but for “you’re welcome” rather than saying “afwan” I kept saying “Akram,” and the family would laugh so hard, and they would say “No, no that’s the translator.” So now when we practice phrases in Arabic, we always say “shukran … afwan … NO Akram.”

 

Kate is a volunteer Good Neighbor Team Leader

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Arrive Ministries is a refugee resettlement agency providing essential services and practical assistance to refugees and immigrants to advance self-sufficiency. We mobilize volunteers, in partnership with local churches, to extend love and friendship to our new neighbors to promote thriving in a new homeland.

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