The mobile bank I was supposed to work with went through a reorganization and they elected a new president. Her name is Lamoudin Diallo. As a Diakite, Diallos are my joking cousins so upon her finding out I was a Diakite she was like “Eh, you’re my slave!” In The States that might seem controversial but here in Mali it’s just another way people joke with one another. I then came up with the brilliant idea of translating a typical conversation for ya’all.
A: Good Afternoon
B: Good Afternoon, how is your family?
A: No problems with them, how is your family?
B: No problems with them, how is your woman?
A: No problems.
B: How are your children?
A: No problems.
B: How are the people over there?
A: No problems with them either. What’s your last name?
B: Diallo, and you?
A: Diakite.
B: Eh, you’re my slave! You sleep in an outhouse at night!
A: Eh, you steal cows! You eat beans!
B: Diakites are bad!
A: No, Diallos are bad!
A+B: (laughter)
At this point they would shake hands and go on with the conversation intermittently making fun of each other until the end of time. It’s pretty fun stuff.
Funny, the translations/literal translations of convos in different languages or from different cultures. Even Korean ones can sound hilarious when it’s translated.
I remember when you first taught me the “let’s make a cookie and gwah jah” comment. I thought it was so hilarious! Hahhaa
Haha I forgot about that joke. Classic!