I can't say I've mastered much Sesotho while I've been here.
When I use the few words I do know, most people can't understand me anyway.
Sesotho has a lot of throaty sounds that I just can't manage to make.
Take, Mokhotlong, the name of the town I live in, for example.
When we're elsewhere in the country, people ask us where we live and I reply "Mokhotlong."
"Holland?"
"No, Mokhotlong!" I repeat, really trying to master the throaty 'haut' sounds the 'khot' makes.
"Holland?" they say again.
"No, no...Mokhotlong."
Quizzical look.
I sigh and resort to "I live in Lesotho...Mokhotlong."
"Oh, oh, oh...Mokhotlong!" they finally reply with some recognition of my uncomprehendable Sesotho.
I can't tell you how many times I've had this same exchange...nor how funny I find it every time.
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