Make the Turkish shop keeper laugh - 3 month target! | My language mission and my log | Forum

Hi, I'm Kokoriko named after the many roosters who wake me up at 5:30am here in Antalya in Turkey. I moved to Antalya 6 months ago on a trial and have decided to extend the stay. Where I live in Konyaalti, there are hardly any English speakers so I'm now enrolled on a learn Turkish course at a language school in Antalya – Babel.

One of the key motivational factors for me is to try and make some sort of difference in this local area.

What I realised from living in Turkey is how great it would be for other people if I could actually speak some Turkish. For example, I'm a creature of habit and most days I will pop down to BIM, the local grocery store for milk and cereal, a few bits you know. Most days I encounter Leyla, the girl at the checkout desk whose obviously well trained by BIM as she greets everyone the same 'Hoshgildiniz". I now have the correct response to this "hosh bulduck" but its all rather dull and boring.

In my hometown of Yorkshire, I always used to like to joke with the people in the grocery store if you didn't they'd wonder what's wrong with you. So in Turkey I feel rather sad that due to my language restrictions I must seem to be sooo serious. It would be an amazing thing infact to just say some words at the store checkout point that might bring a smile.

So, I've had 4 Turkish classes now and its coming along a bit – the pronounciation is getting better. I'd like to be able to string some sentances together in 3 months and have enough confidence to attempt a joke at the check out counter. That would be so nice.