Few days ago I wrote about non-verbal French. Gestures. Like the French, the Yemenis have their gestures.
Refer to the pictures below. But the first one “min hana” is worthy of elaboration. It literally means “from here” (being the nose) … my teacher tells me that when one lies down (or dies) the nose is the highest point … and hence something is “best” when it is from the nose.
Personally I think this isn’t right for obese people or well-endowed women. But this is Yemen and I don’t recall seeing any obese people or expressions of the the female form.
And now, to blow my own trumpet a little. A few days ago, my teacher Ameen complimented on my progress. He said in four years, he’s only had three students making the kind of progress that I was making. I’m the fourth. Apparently I have really good handwriting too!
“Min hana” means something is “the best.
Means “aib” or “shame”.
Means “shwei”, ie. slow down or wait.