Hari, hari easy way to express yourself…
Asian and European cultures are different not only in the cultures, but also in expressing yourself during conversation. Therefore international language – English- has its varieties in Asian society as well. This “Senglish” expressions will give the exact picture of Asian culture and Mentality. I will try to give bright examples of Sri Lankan society, as I am much more familiar with this country…
You will find during conversation with Sri Lankans two aspects:
- “What to do” mentality
- Hari, Hari + head shaking as a word of confrmation…
Have you ever heard “what to do” in your life? No? which means you know the appropriate BBC English and your vocabulary doesn’t have any of “rubbish” words…
What to do expression is common in Sri Lanka and has been used frequently by almost every citizen of this country that has any idea of Engish… This set phrase has been used in situation like there is nothing else to do or we have admit that this is the only one way, or one cannot find any words to comment the situation… You can say “what to do” and do not worry about anything afterwards. What to do saves you from explanation, “it was supposed like this” you wanted to express… But this collocation is not only what we are trying to express in the pointless situation, it has also cultural connotation. What to n our do explains perfectly Sri Lanka mentality. It is mentality of accepting most of the natural things that are guiding in our life, Stephen Covey would call them lighthouses that govern our life. Sri Lankans easily accept everything what is happening around, this also explains sometimes more spontaneity of these people as well as enjoyment of the surroundings…. “What to do” in other words means “ I accept, I don’t want to fight, I don’t want to argue, I admit what happened and cannot help anyhow, it was supposed to be like this etc/”
What to do derives also from the way of thinking of islanders.. helpful in soothing the nervous atmosphere as well as shows “can not do anything” attitude. So after t go as you heard it, please accept the situation and find another to solve it or just let it go as it is…
It says “nothing to worry take it as it is”
As a traveler who stopped in Sri Lanka or person who lived there for a while, you would probable hear a lot “hari, hari” with specific head shaking while expressing it. It can really be confusing for the first time. If you are from Europe (not Bulgaria), head shaking from one shoulder to the other (not nodding) means “no” or something more like that you disagree with the speaker. Unfortunately you are not any more on the “old continent” and you have to admit that this gesture means rather something different. Hari, Hari says “yes, yes I will do it for you” means “ wait I am processing, I will give my final decision later” or it also can mean “ I don’t understand you” à in this case you always have to look at the face expression, if you see big scared eyes, that means “there is no clicking system, whatever you are saying in this understandable English”
- hari, hari the trick of avoiding saying yes
- gives time to think more about particular matter colloquially called “processing”
- nice way of being an “active” listener
If you are planning to go to Sri Lanka, do not be afraid if the body language will be not understandable for you. It takes time to understand the real meaning of such “cultural expressions”. Good luck in the island!
