Today I went to a reception at KU's Theology Department with Jakob, my boss, supposedly to do some social networking for DIS. Since I don't know how to hobnob in Danish, I mostly stood around trying to look like I was supposed to be there.
A few of our students from the new Kierkegaard Honors Seminar were there, and so was one of the professors that I work with, Brian, who teaches at KU and works for the Kierkegaard Research Center. He is American, but has lived in Denmark for about 12 years.
As we were standing in this cellar at KU, drinking wine from plastic cups and nibbling on fancy snacks, several people were giving speeches in honor of the soon-to-be-retired head of the Kierkegaard Center (today was his 65th Birthday) in Danish. For an hour and a half, I listened to speeches about a guy I don't know in a language I cannot understand.
About 10 minutes into the third toast, a student leaned over to me and asked what they were saying. "Fuck if I know," I responded. The three students seemed surprised that I did not know Danish, as I appeared to be listening attentively.
Later, Pia, a woman from the Kierkegaard Center was talking with Jakob, Brian, and me, all in Danish. I know enough to recognize her greeting, so I nodded in reply. Then, I preceded to space out with an intelligent look on my face while chit chat that I did not understand danced off of my ear drums like the clatter of silverware at a crowded diner.
Suddenly, I realize that Pia appears to be asking me a question in Danish, and I don't know how long she has been addressing me. The other two clearly know that I don't speak Danish, but they still look at me expectantly, awaiting my response to her query.
"uhhhhhhh...." I spit out, in my most eloquent American English.
"Oh, Amelia is an English speaker!" says Brian, informing Pia, and apparently reminding himself.
We all chuckled, and they each apologized for cutting me out of the conversation, but the most interesting thing followed.
"I forgot that you don't speak Danish because you were nodding and smiling at all the right places!" said Jakob.
"Oh, I can listen to Danish without understanding," I joked. But to tell the truth, I hadn't heard a word they said, and I didn't even experience myself nodding, smiling, or even looking at anyone.
This brings me to the conclusion of this blog. I have learned quite a skill here in Denmark. I have mastered the art of appearing to know exactly what is going on, even playing the part of an active participant, in a language that may as well be glossolalia. I imagine that I can bring this skill not only to foreign countries like France or Indonesia, but other foreign lands like Chemistry classrooms and corporate boardrooms.
Unless they actually address me with a question.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
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