Three years of French, I am not sure I can count to 10 anymore. A trip to South Africa, my very kind driver encouraged the group to try Afrikaans, but specifically told me that I was really nice, but butchered his language. Made it through El Salvador only with a translator always at my side. Manpruli the tribal language spoken in Nalerigu, Ghana, I could say, "I'm sorry," after two months.
However, I think I can learn Pidgin, the trade language of PNG. PNG is a tribal country, with innumerable tribal languages, and Pidgin is used for trade. I think I have a fair shake at this language mostly because it's darn close to English.
I am still a basic beginner, very basic beginner, yet I have mastered a bunch of words.
Here is what I have done. First of all, my darling Shireen, who spent a summer doing a Wycliffe Bible Translators internship in PNG, let me borrow her precious Baibel Piksa Buk (Bible Picture Book) along with all the language materials they gave her.
So like a complete dork, you can find me at night with my Bible out, a small Pidgin dictionary, and the PNG Baibel translating. I may also have been known to attempt to read said book to friends at the pool or over dinner.
Then for language skills, I actually was able to track down a CD for my computer.
I am sure I will still be horribly incompetent when I get there, but at least I am giving it a shot! Of course, it will likely mean me making a complete fool of myself--I guess that just means more to share with you.
No problem, Biffy, sounds like you're in just the right place. Remember what it says in Luke (you can look it up in your Pidgin Bible) about he who humbles himself...sounds like that will be you! :) We love you just the way you are!
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