How we cite our quotes: (Book.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Are they really speaking real words, or do little kids just start out naturally understanding each other before the prime of life sets in? (3.8.86)
Ooh, good question. Can what Ruth May does with the children of Congo be called "communication" or is it just playing?
Quote #8
"Tata Jesus is bangala!" declares the Reverend every Sunday. […] Bangala means something precious and dear. But the way he pronounces it, it means the poisonwood tree. Praise the Lord, hallelujah, my friends! for Jesus will make you itch like nobody's business. (3.14.1)
Pronunciation is key in Congolese. Once again, Nathan Price doesn't pay a lick of attention to proper pronunciation. And he wonders why people stay far away from him?
Quote #9
This word béene-béene, you want to know what it means, then? […] It means, as true as the truth can be." (3.15.103, 3.15.104)
Why does Congolese have a word for the "truest truth" when English does not? Do the words a language contains tell you anything about the people who speak it—and is English just better for lying with?