It's All About Communication

Quite a hectic week. Got a long distance call from Malang said that my grandmother had a new maid. So, I went there to check them out, the maid and my granny. She's the last granny that I ever had. So, I have no other choice wouldn't I?

Actually, we have a loyal housekeeper there to take care my granny. He's been working with us since, oh well, since my mother was a little. So that makes him more of a family than an employee. So there he was, still mute and deaf as he can be. Oh, didn't I tell you? His hearing is malfunctioning as well as his ability of speaking. That's why we have our own language: The Mien Language. It's not like sign language, but more like the mixture of gesticulation and grunting voice.

Example A
(asking him to pick the rambutan)
Me: Ambeeeelllhhhiiiinnn... rrrhhhaaaaammmbbbuuuttttaaannnnhhhnyaahhh... (palming my hand and gesturing as if its hairy)
Him: Ga.. ga elheem pooothooongggh (shaking his head, apparently he thought i was going to cut his hair)
Me: Dhuu... dhuu...(waving my hands) ikhuu... ikhuuu... (pointing outside the window at rambutan tree)
Him: (nodded and try to fix the broken window)
Me: Aaaarrrrgggghhhh...

Example B
(He's giggling in front of the TV)
Me: Aaaddhhhaaaa... hhaaaapppphhhaaaa (What's up?)
Him: Luuutthuuu... lllhhuuuthuuu.. (Funny, funny)
Me: Aphaaanyaaaahhhh... (trying to watch closely on the TV)
Him: Thhuuuaaadhiii addhhhaaa ooouuuwwrrhang guiilllhhhaa ddhii phhaassyyyaarrr (making funny moves)
Me: Huh?
Mom: He saw a mad man in the market this morning
Me: What?! Does he had to do that here?! Aaaaarrrrgggghhhh....

So there I was making a first contact with the new maid.

Me: What's your name?
Her:.....
Me: What's your name? (in a louder voice)
Her: Retno
Me: Ah, how's my grandma doin?
Her: Thhuuuaaaddhhiiiii sshheeemmmpeeett mmhhaakkkaann...
Me: Aaaaarrrrgggghhhh.....

Turns out she's also deaf and mute. But compared to Mien, she seems to be more educated and familiar with the sign language.
She came with her husband, so I figured I could ask more questions to him.

Me: Where are you come from?
Him: Oooh, kkhhiiiiitttaaa ddhhaaarriii kkhhheeeddiiiiriiii
Me:Aaaaarrrrrggggghhhhh.....

As I went back from shopping, I noticed 2 guys and a girl in the front porch of my granny's house. I suspected that they were all Retno's guest coz I never saw them before. It seems that they are the same age as my little brother. The girl smiled at me. She's so pretty. I smiled her back and went inside the house. Later on, I heard such a chaotic voice outside. And you know what? They're all making this funny gesture with their hands and speaking with grunting voice. Turns out Retno is giving them a lecture in sign language. Means: They're all mute!

Excuse me while I'm screaming hysterically.... AAAAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!