171 4 Encounters But Mama touches my shoulder. A clear caution. ‘We’ll start you in Year Seven And see how that goes.’ […] Mistaken When Mama said, ‘We’re going to England,’ I didn’t see myself Alone. I knew I’d be different, Foreign. I knew I wouldn’t understand Everything. But I thought, maybe, I’d be exotic, Like a red squirrel among the grey, Like an English girl would be in Gdansk. But I am not an English girl in Gdansk. I’m a Pole in Coventry. And that is not the same thing At all. […] Christmas Babcia arrives carrying two heavy suitcases, Though she’s only staying one week. She doesn’t like Coventry at all: It’s too warm to be winter and No one speaks Polish. ‘Why don’t they try?’ Babcia bleats. to crouch down – krjúpa niður to summon – kalla til a spaniel – spaníel (hundategund) to nod – kinka kolli to sigh – andvarpa relieved – vera létt crooked – hér: léleg ridges – hér: hrukkur to appear – birtast properly – rétt a caution – aðvörun a squirrel – íkorni a Pole – Pólverji Babcia – Babcia (pólska orðið fyrir ömmu) to bleat – hér: kvarta Coventry is the ninth largest city in England, located in the West Midlands.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjIxNzc=