In the town where I currently reside, there is a comics store known as Qt * and I stopped there today, intending to purchase some Batman comics, something I hadn’t done in many years.
When I asked about some single issues (the stores don’t sell them that way much anymore, favoring instead to sell them as series of “graphic novels”) , the answer given me tugged at both corners until I had a genuine smile on my face. This young man was speaking to me with a German accent! I was going to be allowed to use my first language for the first time in a long time!
Well, no - I wasn’t .
When I began to explain that I was Half-German, the young man’s father (and co-owner of the shop) gently stopped me and explained that both his sons were born with speech impediments, and the boys’ speech therapist happened to be German, thereby passing along his accent to the young man.
Well, of course he did, Bill!!
Did I feel “robbed” of an opportunity to converse in my native tongue - something I don’t often get a chance to do? Not at all! I felt it was a special time for me, and every time I wanted to add a “Ja” or other appropriate interjection, there was my smile - still crossing my face, and being returned by my new friend - who also happens to be a Dungeon Master in a new adventure of D & D beginning in January, to which I was invited!
The man’s other son - the one who also had an impediment?
Ja — His therapist was French, and although I didn’t ask about him, it turns out the first young man does have a “working” knowledge of German.
What an interesting afternoon!
- Obscured so I wouldn’t accidentally spam my readers - sorry!
