G and I have started looking for a Norwegian language class to take. We went to a website sponsored by the Oslo Kommune (I am guessing that is something akin to a county), and they had a number of links to organizations that offer classes. I will just say at this point that I wholeheartedly miss the efficiency and affordability of the U.S. community college system. More to come on our adventures in finding a good class to take.
In the meantime, we have learned the language of Grocery Store, i.e., the limited Norwegian we have learned necessary to navigate the grocery store.
Pose, or poser (poh-SAH): This means bag or bags in Norwegian. This word is usually very easy to pick out. Timing-wise, the checker says it either right after he or she starts checking out the groceries, or when you’re paying. (Note, as in most European countries, checkers in grocery stores sit at their register, and you bag your own groceries. This has become a spatial relations challenge for me every time I go to the store.) Oftentimes, it is uttered as a single word, “poser?” But, sometimes it’s mentioned as part of a sentence of other indistinguishable (for now) words, wherein the ‘p’ and the ‘s’ sounds make it easy to pick out. Yay.
Kvittering (shVIT-ring, or something like that): Receipt. Interestingly, I’ve observed that most Norwegians do not collect their receipts. I do not know if that’s because they don’t really WANT to know how much they have just spent on the fiskekakke or salat or frozen pizza they just bought (I almost don’t want to know either). In fact, I have been I some places where the checker has actually taken my receipt and, instead of handing it to me, crumpled into a ball and thrown it on the floor. Um, okay. Anyway, this word is a little harder to pick out. It is almost always used in a full sentence which I am sure is something like, “would you like your receipt?” But, since I don’t (yet) know how to say “would you like your” in Norwegian, I listen very closely for the VIT-ring part of the word. There’s something in the pronunciation going on with the first part of the word, and I guarantee you it’s not really like how it’s written, and probably not a lot like what I’ve phonetically written above either.
Ja (YAH): Yes. This one I’ve got, although admittedly my first few times at the store I said “si” instead of “ja.” Apparently I switch into Italian anytime anyone is speaking to me in a foreign language. I guess it’s only understandable given the fact G and I took five months of Italian last year.
Nei (NIGH [like ‘high’]): No. No problems here, unless I have no idea what they’ve asked me and say nei just because I’m wary of the consequences of saying ja.
Hei (hi): hi/hello. This one I’ve got in the bag. I mean, totally. Sometimes people say “hei hei!” instead of just “hei.” Kinda cute. I half expect to get kissed on both cheeks after that greeting, but so far it hasn’t happened yet.
Har det bra/har det (HAH DUH bra/HAH DUH): Goodbye/bye. I feel so cool when I abbreviate it and just say “bye.” Like I can actually speak Norwegian. That lasts for about five seconds.
Here’s a typical grocery store conversation:
Checker: Hei! Hei!
Me: Hei.
Checker: Du [something something] poser?
Me: Nei (halfheartedly smiling while holding up my reusable Whole Foods shopping bag).
Now, at this point in the checker-checkee relationship, sometimes they’ll throw something else in. Like, do you want to join the shoppers club? Or, do you know what kind of fruit this is? But, of course, I have no idea what they’re saying because they ask all these questions in Norwegian. So I say, in English mind you, “I’m sorry, I don’t speak Norwegian yet.” [I should really learn to say that in Norwegian.] I try to look helpless yet understanding with any frustration they may have when I say it. The reaction changes depending on the checker. Sometimes when I’m smart and choose the line with the younger checker, they are more understanding and even somewhat interested in why I am buying eggs or a head of broccoli at the store. It can even end up in a conversation about where I’m from, how long I’ve been here, and how long I will be here. Other times, they just say oh, and repeat that they said in English, and move me on my way.
Checker: Du [something something] kvittering? (Or, sometimes at this point it’s devolved into English if they’ve found me out.]
Me: Ya, takk (takk is thanks).
Checker: Har det bra!
Me: Har det.
Speaking of which, I need to head to the grocery store. Wish me luck! I should probably dust off those Teach Yourself Norwegian CDs now…
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