Mutual Understanding

One of the basic tenets underlying The Fulbright Program is promoting mutual understanding between the people of the United States and those of other countries.  When I think about mutual understanding between countries, I often have visions of diplomats or heads of state sitting in chairs while a horde of photographers take a picture of them shaking hands.  While I am sure that mutual understanding does take place during these meetings, I have learned that mutual understanding often takes place in more subtle ways, away from the photographers. 

Three examples of mutual understanding in my brief time in Greece come to mind.  The first took place while I was waiting to catch a bus from Athens to Ioannina.  As I sat waiting for the bus, an elderly gentleman sat down next to me and smiled.  He said something to me in Greek and I shook my head to indicate that I didn't understand what he said, and then I pointed at myself and said, "American."  His actions indicated that he did not know English.  However, I was resourceful.  I had my Greek/English dictionary with me so I quickly looked up the Greek equivalents for visiting, professor, four, months, and university.  He took great delight in my attempts to say these words in Greek and, best of all, he understood.  From that point on he took care of me all the way to Ioannina.

The second situation occurred yesterday at the little cafe in the Education Building that is frequented by students.  I bought some hot tea and sat at a table to warm myself up on what proved to be a rainy and cold day.  An older man was sitting at a table next to me and began speaking German to me.  Once again, I indicated that I was American and that I didn't understand German, or for that matter, much Greek.  He was undaunted.  He  moved over to my table and in a mix of German, English, and Greek explained to me that he had lived in Athens, Rome, Boston, and Ioannina.  He also wrote the number "28" on the table to indicate that he had been a professor at the university for 28 years, but was retired.  He also gestured that he was a photographer. 

My last example involves the man who works behind the counter at this cafe.  His English skills are great.  However, he delights in providing me with Greek words associated with ordering food.  He also likes to help me with my pronunciation.  I must admit that I am struggling with the "X" sound in Greek; it is a mix of "h" and "k".  It is not quite a fricative and it is not quite a plosive.  I can hear it, but I cannot quite master it.  Unfortunately, it is present in the Greek word for "thank-you" (i.e., ef-ha-ree-sto).  Every time I tell him "thank-you', he smiles and repeats it again with the proper pronunciation waiting for me to try again.

While these encounters are not changing the world, I do think that I am doing my small part in promoting mutual understanding.  I find that the Greek people are more than willing to meet me halfway, especially when I try to use the few Greek words and phrases I know.  Benjamin, a student from Thailand living in my dorm who is studying Greek, watched me as I listened to a couple of other international students engage in a long dialogue in Greek.  When they finished, he looked at me and said, "Was that all Greek to you?"  Surprisingly, I understood quite a bit of the conversation.  I guess there is hope for me.