Do some preliminary research on what most interests you about the target culture, and describe how this topic relates to language. Do you need any special vocabulary or linguistic knowledge to engage this topic? If so, have you included objectives in your learning plan to engage this topic?
As I mentioned in my presentation, nonverbal language is a huge interest to me. Another topic that interests me, other than food, is bargaining. A UR alumna who attended the same program in Dakar admits that even on her more recent visits to Senegal, her use of Wolof to buy products has proved to be the most effective method of bargaining and purchasing. She says that using French indicates that you’re more of a tourist and that you’re more liable to buy the relatively expensive product. This preference also shows a connection that Senegalese people have to Wolof over their connection to French, the language of the colonizer.
I will need to know terms related to money and how to count in Wolof if applicable. One related objective in my learning plan is “I can ask and understand how much something costs.” This concept is important to me, because I know I will like to explore Dakar on my own sometimes. Therefore, I won’t always be able to reply on members of my host family to help me out. Even then, it is important for me to have that lingual foundation to learn from those around me.
Comments
Johnnette, I can definitely relate to this post because my end goal in learning Quechua is exactly this - to be able to buy groceries in the market, but primarily to bargain for these products! I completely agree that knowing the language of the country or region helps in bargaining prices. This is precisely why I never have any change left after being sent out to buy groceries, yet my relatives or cousins generally have a couple of bolivianos left.
Reading your post reminded me of my experiences while bargaining in markets throughout Latin America. I completely agree with you about the importance of knowing the local language while bargaining or while making purchases. While I am not familiar with how market culture is in Senegal, I do know that in various parts of the world, nonverbal language – as you mentioned above, and which can range from comportment to the way in which one is dressed – influences people’s experiences at the market, and especially when bargaining. I had a conversation with a vender who told me that one of the ways they would set prices would be by looking for nonverbal cues showing that the buyer was either a foreigner/tourist or a native. Some of these cues were: the clothes (particularly shoes) they wore, the way they would browse through the items and even the way they stood. I would suggest looking into these aspects of nonverbal language (and others that you are able to find) because they may impact purchasing experiences.
Also, your post made me interested in researching bargaining and purchasing culture in South Korea because it would be very useful information for whenever I plan to take a trip there and go to a market.
I can relate on this topic. Bargaining is huge in Ethiopia and Eritrea and if you look anything like a foreigner you'll be charged more. Nothing really has a set price so it's easy to pay more than you should. People are much more receptive to their native language, which is completely understandable.