Geographical Borders Can Be Challenges

Leila Ismail

English 121

Sandra Muegge.

11/07/2013

Geographical Borders can be Challenges

We live in a world where people travel and across the borders of countries wish depending on their travel destinations. Broadly, a border is defined as a line separating two or more geographical areas, such as countries or states. Throughout the world, countries have different rules and regulations when crossing the border. Considering Africa, especially the easterly region of the African continent, usually two countries that share the same, border have different rules and regulations. Kenya and Somalia are two countries that share such a border crossing, named Liboi. Kenyans and Somalias tend to crisscross this border smoothly; although, tough border controls exist on each side. The security situation in the border region between these two countries seems defective during certain occasions. Law enforcement personnel, such as border patrols, tend to safeguard the security of the borders while maintaining law and order. Although these two neighboring countries share a border, they are different in many other ways. Kenyans and Somalias speak different languages within their borders, practice diverse cultures, and have different rules within their borders. This creates challenges.

First, Language obstacles always exist between speakers of different languages. Language can be an obstacle for Kenyans and Somalias who do not have the same language. Language is difficult to understand in Kenya and Somalia. For example, Ali is the father of six children. He is going from Somalia to Kenya, and when he comes to the border, the security guard asked "Ali," "Where are you going?" However, Ali doesn't understand the Kenyan language (Swahili). Ali uses sign language, and the security understands Ali's purpose. Similarly, in the episode of "Lucy's Bicycle Trip," Lucy was trying to communicate with an Italian farmer, but she did not speak Italian, nor did the farmer speak English, so she used sign language to express her needs. Furthermore, in the story "Borders" by Thomas King, when the border patrol officer asks the mother about her citizenship and she says "Blackfoot" (291). Then the officer brings in one of his colleagues, and the officer says '"just to keep our records straight, what side do you come from Canadian or American side?" (291). She said "Blackfoot side" (292). Second, street signs are different in Kenya and Somalia. For example, Abdi went to visit his mother in Nairobi, Kenya. He drove from Somalia to Kenya. Before he reached the border between Somalia and Kenya, he saw a billboard. Abdi stopped to read what was written on the billboard, and he could not read, or understand it because the writing was in Swahili. Abdi struggled to figure out what was written on the billboard and stood for a while staring at the billboard. He finally gave up and drove to the border when he saw a sign. The sign was written in Swahili and it said "reduce the speed limit" - (kupunguza kasi ya mbele), but unfortunately for Abdi he did not understand it. Abdi's speed was different than the sign, so when he came to the border, he got into a lot of trouble. The security guard got an interpreter and yelled at him. The guard gave him a warning. Third, Kenya and Somalia have different slang colloquialisms. They do not understand each other when slang words are used. Kenyans tend to speak a vernacular dialect that is hard to comprehend for other nationals who come from other places. For example, in Kenya there is a variety of slang words that are commonly spoken in Kenyans but difficult to understand for Somali learners. There is also an urban slang variety commonly spoken by Kenyan urban youths called Sheng, with a grammar that is very different to Somali language.

Culture can be challenging when crossing the border between Kenya and Somalia. First, clothing is different in each country. For example, Ladan is from Somalia, and she is wearing a hijab that covers her entire body. Conversely, Akello is a Kenyan girl, and she is wearing jeans and a shirt like the American style. They both arrived at the Kenyan side of the border. The security guard on the Kenya side speaks to Ladan and he asks, "kwa nini wewe kuvaa nguo hii kubwa ni wewe mafichoni kitu" which means, "Why did you put on these big clothes are you hiding something?" But, Ladan defends herself, and she tells him that it is based on her religion and Somali culture. Also the culture challenge of dress can affect business.