Riding the Rollercoaster

It is odd how things work out sometimes.

I have been struggling with varying degrees of culture shock the past week or so. It has been rather unpleasant, especially considering that I am aware of what I am going through. Yet through it all, I still find time to enjoy the wonderful aspects of life in Mexico.

For example, today I had a break-through in my Traduccion class at the EEE. I worked diligently on my translation of a text titled "The Origin of Pulque", based on the Aztec mythology of the origin of Pulque (and alcoholic beverage originally considered to be sacred to the gods, which is now reserved primarily for tourists and impoverished campesinos). I tried to apply everything I have learned thus far about the process of translation. I also ventured outside of my comfort zone and took some "liberties" with the original text. For the first time, I did not create a word-for-word translation. It was very nerve-wracking, to say the least.

I was still fairly confident in my translation, until we went over unknown words and phrases within the text during class. There are always a million possible translations of any given text, but each choice has ramifications on the context and meaning of the translated text. As such, some decisions are far worthier than others. Consequently, by the end of the class I was feeling pretty insecure about my original translation. It seemed as though there were a million and one ways I could rephrase my translation to make it better.

Yet I persevered and had the professor proof my translation, even though it is not do until next week Wednesday. Lo and behold, I only had seven errors! SEVEN! For a full page translation, that is pretty good. The best part, they were all based on concordancia (agreement) and conjugacion (conjugation), my weakest areas (which I am aware of and work on improving). In fact, my professor liked the liberties that I took and said that she believed the meaning of the text was improved. She also though my text maintained the original flow and styling nicely. I was quite complemented. It made me feel good, like I am not so far off the mark after all. Seven errors? For a first draft? I am making progress. :)

My subsequent Traduccion class at the UV was equally uplifting. Although my original translation of the text was downright disgraceful, I was able to consciously correct almost all of my errors without assistance. (Perhaps I am improving and I am too close to myself to notice). After class, the professor then invited me out to lunch with the Director of the Faculty Library and a former student. We had a fantastic time! They gave me many wonderful recommendations for things to do while I am in Mexico and we all agreed to get together sometime to hang out. It was really nice. By the end of the meal, I felt really content with my verbal abilities. I think I am starting to come out of my shell. Especially because amongst academics and scholars, I no longer feel afraid to express myself and my ideas. I know I can participate in any discussion, without fear of reproach or rejections from my peers.

It was a world of difference from my trip in 2008, when my professor chastised me for speaking low-brow "street Spanish" and ordered me to stop conversing with the public. She believed they were a bad influence on my linguistic abilities. I am pretty sure I just proved her wrong. The majority of my conversations occur on the streets, yet I am still fully capable of holding my own during a collegiate discussion. So ha!

Being serious though, it did feel really good. I have been making a concerted effort to try harder and I find myself making fewer and fewer mistakes daily. Luis said I did not make a single mistake all day in all our conversations yesterday. Not a single one! And, I used both the subjunctive AND future tense.

Then tonight I had my painting class with Carlos. I am learning the ancient technique of pigment painting (used to create the Codices). Unfortunately (although fortunately), our class was canceled because the our materials we locked in the director's office and he was out sick for the day. So he invited me to his Maestro's studio. We have been having some fantastic discussions about art and he wanted me to meet his mentor. It was such a neat experience! Not only did we talk the two kilometers there and back, but I had a lively discussion with his teacher. I was then invited to join them at el Museo Antropologia for a drawing class, or for one of the many random art film movie nights they have down at the studio. I am pretty sure I will take them up on the offer.

Walking home in the darkness, reflecting back on the day, I felt really good. I had many opportunities to practice my Spanish and I confidently succeeding every time. It made me think my mom is wrong. My Spanish may not be perfect, but it is definitely sufficient. If I am capable of all that I accomplished today, just imagine what I will be capable of in three more months.

I can't wait to find out!~