Maysar Alsulaimani
The Linguistic Mistake
One year ago in Eugene OR, the rain was heavy and leaves were falling in spectacular autumn color. I had an experience I’ll never forget. When I spoke to my friend she asked me “Why did you not use the bus?” I did not ride the bus before in my life. I am afraid of hearing the words “because you are from the different generation X you can not learn easily,” so could not ask her. I wanted to ask her a lot of questions about the bus map or what to do if I encounter a problem, but could not tell her because I could not speak English very well. However, I decided to take a bus.
It was 5 pm. The school day had ended. I walked with heavy steps to see if anyone I knew was riding the bus with me. But it was the first time and I saw only strange faces. I had a fear of speaking the wrong language. It prevented me from asking the bus driver how to stop the bus. What was this strange way I didn't know? It increased my concern, although I did not try to ask help even from the Arabic girl sitting next to me.
The bus stopped at the main station after I spent three hours riding. What happened? Where was the mistake? Many questions I did not find the answer. And I had not tried even to ask anyone. Finally, I broke the silence, I asked one of the staff to call me a taxi after half an hour of waiting. In fact, there was another thing I didn’t know where I lived, I had arrived just two days ago.
Afterward, the taxi driver brought me to the neighborhood but not to the house. Actually, I did not know the address. Again, my fear of speaking wrong prevented me from asking for some help from the taxi driver. I decided that I could walk and try to find which one was my home, but the place was dark and there was a heavy rain and strong winds.
Finally, I cried after I got out the taxi. I had felt like I was in a strange place. I hated the rain because it was preventing me from seeing. Suddenly, a large car stopped next to me, and I saw my husband had come with our neighbors. I was so relieved because I was feeling cold, and tired.
Overall, it was an unforgettable lesson and I learned to break the barrier of fear and to ask for anything. On the bus you must pull the wire next to you to alert the driver to stop. I learned to ask for help and learned to accept the help that others offered. Moreover, I should not be afraid of speaking wrong. Even if I am from a different generation, I can learn.
The Linguistic Mistake
One year ago in Eugene OR, the rain was heavy and leaves were falling in spectacular autumn color. I had an experience I’ll never forget. When I spoke to my friend she asked me “Why did you not use the bus?” I did not ride the bus before in my life. I am afraid of hearing the words “because you are from the different generation X you can not learn easily,” so could not ask her. I wanted to ask her a lot of questions about the bus map or what to do if I encounter a problem, but could not tell her because I could not speak English very well. However, I decided to take a bus.
It was 5 pm. The school day had ended. I walked with heavy steps to see if anyone I knew was riding the bus with me. But it was the first time and I saw only strange faces. I had a fear of speaking the wrong language. It prevented me from asking the bus driver how to stop the bus. What was this strange way I didn't know? It increased my concern, although I did not try to ask help even from the Arabic girl sitting next to me.
The bus stopped at the main station after I spent three hours riding. What happened? Where was the mistake? Many questions I did not find the answer. And I had not tried even to ask anyone. Finally, I broke the silence, I asked one of the staff to call me a taxi after half an hour of waiting. In fact, there was another thing I didn’t know where I lived, I had arrived just two days ago.
Afterward, the taxi driver brought me to the neighborhood but not to the house. Actually, I did not know the address. Again, my fear of speaking wrong prevented me from asking for some help from the taxi driver. I decided that I could walk and try to find which one was my home, but the place was dark and there was a heavy rain and strong winds.
Finally, I cried after I got out the taxi. I had felt like I was in a strange place. I hated the rain because it was preventing me from seeing. Suddenly, a large car stopped next to me, and I saw my husband had come with our neighbors. I was so relieved because I was feeling cold, and tired.
Overall, it was an unforgettable lesson and I learned to break the barrier of fear and to ask for anything. On the bus you must pull the wire next to you to alert the driver to stop. I learned to ask for help and learned to accept the help that others offered. Moreover, I should not be afraid of speaking wrong. Even if I am from a different generation, I can learn.