The general consensus when learning another language, is that you should master the grammar and structure, familiarize yourself with the sounds, but generally worry about proper pronunciation later.
So then, when I first got my Yoruba book, I paid very little attention to distinguishing the different sounds in the language. I was mostly focused on learning phrases and the grammatical structure, so I could begin practicing the language immediately and figured that I would straighten out pronunciation later.
This was a bad idea.
I knew a good amount of phrases and figured I would use them randomly with a guy I had been dating in order to show him my progress in the language (brownie points anyone?).
No. I did not get brownie points.
While we were at dinner, I was trying to tell him a story, we were eating and suddenly his face changed to one of horror. I knew something I said was wrong, but I was wondering why he looked purely disgusted with me.
He explained to me that what I just said meant "I farted."
This is a true story. I told this man, that I farted in the middle of my date!
I was so embarrassed, but he was kind about it.
Please ladies and gentleman, find a video on the Yoruba alphabet. And so this situation does not happen to anyone else.