Q: Clearly the language barrier was always going to be a problem. Did you learn any of the local language before you embarked on your journey and how much did you rely on translators?

Mark: As with the Kombai it was next to impossible for us to learn the language before arrival; there are just no Mek text books, dictionaries or teachers in open circulation.  We had to rely almost entirely upon translators.

Some people in the area did speak some Indonesian however, allowing me to hold very simple conversations myself.

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