Translator

Today during sacrament meeting (member of LDS church - for more info check out this link)we had a special visitor from the Young Women General board. Sister Vilma Sagebin visited and stayed for our sacrament meeting. During the announcements, the Executive Secretary came down and talked to my husband. I thought it had to do with something in the office 'cause my husband is the Executive Clerk, but it turned out that the Bishop requested I come up to the front and sit with Sister Sagebin and translate.

I about died...actually, I wish I could just disappear at that moment. I turned to another sister who sat behind me and asked her if she could. She had the same reaction as me. So as I sat there contemplating, I looked up and saw the Bishopric and remembered a saying about "obedience" so as much as I wanted to just remain sitting there, I walked up to the front and sat by Sister Sagebin.

Those that know me know that I can understand and read Tongan, but there are several words that I am not all too familiar with -- so this was going to be a challenge. When I sat by Sister Sagebin, I mentioned to her that I will do my best to translate the talks for her and that this was the first time I have ever translated Tongan to English for anyone.

There were 3 speakers; two sisters and one brother. The first sister that spoke - let's say she spoke fast. As I was trying to think of her first sentence to translate, she was on her fourth. I did my best.

The second speaker spoke and it was a little bit easier to translate. There was a part where she was talking about a story of two women arguing over who's "fale pola" was the best. Okay, I knew that "fale" meant house and "pola" meant buffet on table - so when I thought of the two words it didn't make any sense 'cause I knew she wasn't talking about a restaurant. To keep it simple, I guessed and told her they were arguing about the material their homes were built out of. Come to find out, "fale pola" means tongan house -- like built out of the palm leaves (I think that's what they are called) -- so my guess was somewhat close.

The third and last speaker was a brother and he spoke slow, so I was loving it. It was so easy to keep up and translate his talk. The last story he shared didn't make sense at first, but in the end I finally was able to translate where the translation flowed smoothly. That's what I get for assuming that being a translator was an easy job. I think I omitted a good portion of what was said because I was struggling to keep up.

After church a few of the members in our ward came up and made comments about me translating. They were just as shocked. One sister said that her husband asked her "Sinai understands Tongan". I know it's weird that I can understand most tongan words and read -- but when it comes to speaking, I struggle with that. I know enough to carry a conversation but with your basic words. In fact, I realized that "finge" is not a tongan word. I don't know how I came up with that word, but I do remember using it years ago during our first visit and even during this last visit. I found out from my first cousin who thought I was "fie vale loi" (pretending like I don't know) when I told them I am not fluent. Then when she heard me speak and received letters from me, realized I was not lying. I really couldn't.

Again, I am not proud that I can not speak my native tongue fluently, but so you know, it's on my list of things to improve on. When I visited NZ last year and the year before, I was amazed at how well my cousins spoke Tongan. I felt so ashamed with my broken Tongan. I am still trying -- so you gotta give me a little credit for that.