How would you say, how are you, in your language?

How do you mean?

I mean if I want to say, how are you, then what would you say?

Then I would say, I am fine, too.

No, no, I don’t mean what would you say in response to how are you. I mean how would you say it?

That’s how I would say it, I am fine, too. That’s what we generally say when you say how are you.

No, no. Okay, listen, how would you say – I am not doing too well.

I would say, maybe, have you been to a doctor.

No, listen, I am writing this story.

OK, OK.

No OK OK, just listen! I am writing this story. It’s about a man who gets trapped in the flood water and then escapes death, thanks to his pet buffalo. The story is set in your area, so, I want to bring in the flavour of your language. Now, because I don’t know it so well, I thought you could tell me how some things are said in your language.

Oh, OK. Why are you writing this story?

I don’t know I just felt that people should know about the drought. No one’s talking about them at all. So many lives have been destroyed by it. People should know.

What drought?

Drought? What drought?

You just said drought in my area. There is no drought in my area.

No, I said floods. The story is about the floods.

I thought you said drought.

No I said floods. There are floods in your area, right?

Yes, but no drought.

Fine, so its about the floods, OK?

Oh, OK, very well.

So I just have some sentences in dialogue form. If you could tell me how things are said in your language, the story will have authenticity.

Yes, very well. Will I be able to read the story?

Actually I am writing it in English, so…so, shall I start with the sentences?

Yes, but I am not a literary person.

No, that’s fine, the person who this story is about is a villager who is not very literary, so you’ll do. I mean, I think he speaks the same way as you.

OK. I just wanted you to know I am not a very literary person so I hope I can answer your queries to your satisfaction.

It’s not about my satisfaction, it’s about how things are said in your way, so don’t worry. Don’t feel pressured. Just relax and say things the way you would say them to your wife.

My wife?

Yes, just normal conversations, you know.

I don’t know what normal conversations are with a wife. I am not married yet. I mean I am married but the gahuna hasn’t taken place so I haven’t spent time with my wife. I saw her only once, though I have been married two years now.

Achcha achcha. Oh. Yes, I know about the gahuna, but I didn’t know your wife was not with you. So, you’re alone here?

I live here with my brother. Haven’t you seen him at the shop sometimes?

Yes, maybe. Who cooks, then?

My brother, or me, depending on things…

OK. So one of you stays home?

No, no. Everyone in our family has to earn. Where is the time to sit idle?

So, you work in shifts?

What’s that?

Shifts. I mean you work by turns.

Yes, by turns. He comes one day and I come the next day. I am surprised you haven’t seen him. Have you started going to another shop? You don’t come here as often as you used to.

No, no. There’s only one other shop depending on the route I take to office. Besides I am cutting down on smoking.

Speaking of office, do you think you could help my brother with a job? He is much more educated than I am. He is not like me. He is quite smart and level headed. Went to school up to class eight.

Oh, OK. I can’t promise anything but I can ask people. How old is he?

He is younger than I am but taller than me and more good-looking.

Looks don’t matter, really.

No, no. They do. He is very presentable, you know. Not like me.

What kind of work would he like to do?

Anything that comes his way. He’s not choosy. He was working in a lawyer’s office but the lawyer kept sending him to towns far from here with some papers. Then he started asking him to wash his car and the wife started using abusive language. My brother was quite disturbed. I told him to leave the job. Money is not everything. One must have respect, too. Now he helps with the shop, but if you could get him fixed somewhere in an office it would be nice.

OK, I’ll try. So, shall we start with the translations?

The what?

You know you are to tell me how some things are said in your language.  

Yes, yes. The customers will start turning up soon, then it will be a problem.

OK. Let’s start: first…how are you?

I’m fine.