I have an unusual idea. There is a new restaurant near my work. It is, hands-down, the best Ethiopian food for miles around. The owners are a beautiful family; a smiling man, his gorgeous friendly wife, and their two-year-old son who is at least three times as cute as any button or bug’s ear.
They have a sandwichboard outside, but no perpendicular sign on the outside of the building that would make the place easier to find for those negotiating the traffic on busy Telegraph Avenue in Oakland. There is, however, a frame in place for such sign.
As it happens, I am a painter and have painted signs before. I have an idea of making a sign that incorporates the restaurant’s name in English with a suitable word in Amharic, so that the sign would appear to say two good things at one time.
The restaurant’s name rendered in English is “Bole.” (extra credit: tell me what that means?) At one time, I thought I had found a rendering of the word for “family” in Amharic that could easily be appended to contain the English word “Bole” as well. But if not, is there a suitable word rendered in Amharic that could also be made to appear to say “Bole” in English? I hope that makes sense. Thanks!