Our cab driver, Isaac, has been our Nyanja expert as we drive to and from school. He has taught us how to say certain phrases to communicate more effectively with kids new to school, just learning English. I draw out each word carefully, “Nishimi ki leko”(tell me about the story) and “Muna mphunzilla chani?”(what did you learn?).
On Thursday I wanted to impress the lunch ladies with a compliment about their cooking, so with paper in hand, I slowly read “zikomo, mwatipikeela bwino vakudya” meaning “Thank you, the food you served was good”. The surprised Zambian laughed as she cracked a joke about my fast mouth talking so slow in Nyanja. Fast mouth? Me?