What Does a Rooster Say?

This should be under one of the book reviews for David Sedaris, but I thought this story warranted it's own post. It was in Dress You Family in Corduroy and Denim, where Mr. Sedaris talks about how if he is in a new country, in order to start a conversation with a cab driver or whoever he meets, he usually asks them what sound a rooster makes in this country. He goes on to say that for instance in Germany they say, "kik-a-riki," and in Greek they go, "kiri-a-kee," and that in France they crow, "coco-rico."

This got me laughing really hard because I had this conversation in one of my Spanish classes during training. In case you were wondering, Dominican roosters crow, "rik-i-dik-i-dik," or something to that effect. David Sedaris also goes on to say that when he tells someone that an American rooster says, "cock-a-doodle-doo," and I'm quoting directly from the book here, "my hosts look at me with disbelief and pity." I got that exact same reaction out of my Spanish teacher when we told her that's what American roosters say. I remember her face at that moment, like it just happened yesterday, and disbelief and pity are the two exact words I would use to describe it.

Now, it is everyone's job to find out what roosters say in different places. This would be especially easy if you are already living overseas (hmmhmm...Fran...hmmhmm), but also if you have other friends or relatives, would you be so kind as to inquire and then let me know. I find it interesting.