So far in my language learning experience it utterly amazes me that the sounds that come out of my mouth actually make sense to people. At times what comes out of my mouth seems like gibberish to me yet people understand what I’m saying! These sounds carry so much meaning, yet they are so foreign to me. This amazes me. At times it seems like I’m having an out of body experience…there I am talking, these sounds coming out my mouth, an then there is the other one looking down at the one who has the sounds coming out of his mouth…I guess I can call them the English speaking Brian and the Brian who has the weird sounds coming out of his mouth (the Spanish speaking Brian). The English speaking Brian looks down and observes the Spanish speaking Brian, at times translating for the Spanish speaking Brian, at other times critiquing the Spanish speaking Brian, and still at other times sitting back and wondering what the heck is coming out of his mouth. At no time, at least not yet, have I been the Spanish speaking Brian. I am always the English speaking one, out of his body, observing. Weird. This process is so fascinating! Maybe I’m going crazy? Maybe I’m developing a split personality? Will it forever be this way, or will I eventually become the Spanish speaking Brian…is it possible to be both at the same time?
When you go to a new culture and get a name (even if it’s just a re-pronounced version of your current name), you do become a new person. Nate and Natan are not the same person. It makes stories in the Bible of men getting new names incredibly poignant. Get used to being two people. As long as you have to have your feet in both worlds, there will be two of you.
Wait a minute I am cinfused, which one is the real Brian?