Not the whole language, of course

Learn some phrases and common courtesies ("Hello. How are you?" is important). If people know you are trying, your stay will be more pleasant.

I also learned that offering to help with a project helps. I think the women were talking about me as we sat around (the Makotse Women's Club in the village where my daughter lives in South Africa) and peeled marula (fruit) for an upcoming festival. Even if I'd learned "hello" and "thank you," I wouldn't have been able to follow the conversation, but they might not have spoken so frankly, not being exactly sure how much of their language I understood. By the way, if you want to learn about one use of the marula, look up "Amarula, marula fruit cream," a nifty little 36-proof refreshment.

Tomorrow, more on language -- English.