Philippines
A dugout canoe called a banca is used as a ferryboat. It takes
passengers across a river in the Philippines.
May I help you?
“iEn que puedo servirle?” the guard asked.
“May maitutulong ba ako?” the boatman asked. “Darf Ich Ihnen
helfen?” the policeman asked. “Puis-je vous servir?” the waiter
asked.
“Czy moge pani pomdc?” the salesclerk asked.
What do all these people want to know? They are asking, “May I help
you?” in Spanish, Pilipino, German, French, and Polish.
In Madrid, Spain, a guard at the Prado, the famous art museum, will tell
you where you can see the paintings of the great artist El Greco. In the
Philippines, the man who runs the ferryboat will take you across the
river.
If you should get lost in Bonn, Germany, a policeman will help you to
find your way. In Tunis, a city in Tunisia, a waiter will take your food
order in Arabic or in French. In Warsaw, Poland, a salesclerk will help
you to select a piece of fine porcelain for a present.
All of these people, and others like them, earn a living by helping
people.
