Talk Less, Communicate More, Most Common Phrases to Efficiently Travel Through Sikkim
Sikkim, besides being the blissful metamorphosis
from the mammoth snow-capped peaks to the carpeted greens of the valleys, is
also an eclectic hub of culture. It is a multi-ethnic home to the indigenous tribes of
Lepcha, Bhutia, Limbu, Sherpa and many more. Being amiable, as they are, the natives are eminently known
for their generosity. With so much to see and explore, the best way to
have a rendezvous with this divine expanse of Nature is a little eloquence in
the vernacular. Although English is the official language and Sikkim is
multilingual, Nepali is spoken by a majority here. Communicating in the local
dialect brings down the facade of having just a guide-tourist conversation,
shifting it to a more pliant kinship. And an added privilege to clique in the neighborhoods. And voila! All of a sudden offbeat jaunts are so easy-peasy.
***
Geography is often a muse to
traveling, and local culture and the local dialect adds the soulful vibe to it.
***
Start the Conversation Yourself
Kick start the conversation with a “Namaste Daju/Bahini”, which is more of
like “Hello dear brother/sister” and you have initiated the bonding. They call
their elder brother as daju and sister as bahini. An addition of “Tashi Delek” while bidding goodbye
strengthens the gesture.
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| Start off with these greetings! |
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Pro Tip: One need not learn Nepali
for traveling to Sikkim, nevertheless intoning a few common words in between is
taken as a sign of respect; it indicates that you are appreciating your
opportunity to merge in with the locals. Also, it helps if it is a remote
location.
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Worried about Accommodation, Ask it then
Hop in a hotel and ask for a room. The word “is” is
simply put as “chha” in Nepali
and “isn’t” as “chhaina”. So
if you are asking “Is there a vacant room?” you might simply ask “Room chha?”
If he says “Chhaina”,
you need to find another hotel, and if you hear a “Chha”, you are in. For the former ask “Mo kaha basno sakcha?” [Where can I stay
then?]
After getting fresh, order for your cup of tea, “Mo room lai eyota/ek cup tato chai dinus”,
and for emphasizing on the urgency, add a “chhitto”
(quickly) after it. So what you are saying is “Give me a cup of hot tea to my
room as fast as you can.”
Out for Transport?
Up for availing transport to explore the other
vibrant vicinities, then try a few sentences in Nepali.
“Yo Ravangla ko gadi
kaha chha?” [Where is the car for Ravangla?]
“Yo Ravangla
janccha?” [Will this go to Ravangla?]
“Jandayna? Law law” [It won’t go. Okay Okay.]
“Jandayna? Law law” [It won’t go. Okay Okay.]
“Ravangla ko lai
bato ramro chha?” [Is the road to Ravangla in good
condition?]
“Molayi Ravangla
lage do.” [Please take me to Ravangla.]
“Kati time lagcha?”
[How long
will it take?]
“Ita roknu na.”
[Please
stop here.]
“Kati paisa bhayo?”
[How much
do I pay?]
“Yo bus kati baje
jahan cha?” [When does this bus leave?]
"Bus aaonu."
[ The bus is coming]
"Bus agayo"
[ The bus has come].
A Food Trailing is All Set
A mountain cliché is never complete without the
food trailing. Few words to help you out while sampling the local cuisine-
“Bahini ke
painchha?” [Sister what will be available?]
“Momo painchha?”
or "Momo hunchha?"
[Will I get momo?]
“Eyota/Ek plate
momo dinus na” [provide me a plate of momo please]
“Khana
bhayo. Bill launu” [I am done eating, bring the bill
please]
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| I asked him "Khana bhayo?" He said no and turned to his sister. |
Want to Take Some Photos?
While traversing through the panoramic mountainscapes, every now and then you will find smiling faces looking at you, greet them back with a smile, keep your DSLR ready, sometimes waving ask out “sab ramro chha?” and trust me you will be gifted with the best portraits ever. “Mo photo linu sakchhu?” [May I take a photograph?] |
| Tashi Delek |
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1 comments
Thanks for the linguistic approach. Its good to know the language of a place before visiting it.
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