How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
I guess there's not an easy way to mime "You are of two worlds," which is what Gallo said after he compared me to a cat. In the beginning, what I would do is memorize the sound of a Spanish phrase, and then I'd get someone at school to translate. Later, I learned words and grammar. (9.11)
Amiel is tough to talk to not only because he speaks a different language, but also because he can't speak very much to begin with. Pearl's experience in dutifully translating each word and phrase to write to him shows us just how hard it is to have a conversation with someone via letter in a foreign language. It's not for the faint of heart.
Quote #5
He was also holding my letter in his back pocket and knowing exactly one more language than I thought he knew. English. (20.8)
When Pearl and Amiel start exchanging notes, they are worried someone will find them out. After all, it's not like everyone's dropping notes in the woods for their friends to find all the time. Pearl and Amiel's unusual form of communication points draws attention to how tricky it is in general for them to communicate with each other.