Here’s a quick look into the past 5 ½ months. We have been pouring as much time as possible
into language learning. Some days are
completely overwhelming, “how am I (Erin) ever going to remember all these
words.” “How in the world am I ever
going to sound like a local?” And yet,
when I look at how far we have come and the degree to which I can communicate,
I am very encouraged. Often people
comment, “Isn’t this an easy language to learn?” If they only knew.
Actually this language is very easy to learn, especially in comparison with many neighboring countries and actually in comparison with English
too. The hard part is the grammar
structure is so different then what we’re used to. Here’s a taste of what we’ve been learning:
-The verbs do not have a past, present or future tense, so
you have to use a word like ‘already,’ ‘will,’ or a time word, like ‘yesterday.’
So you end up with: Yesterday I eat rice.
-There are a large number of prefixes and suffixes,
so, many of the words sound very similar as all active form verbs start with
the same two letters.
-We have been encouraged to learn phrases or the meaning
behind the words, not just the literal translation. I am reminded of this when I encounter words
like kiss and smell, which are the same.
To live, stay, leave behind, and die are all from the same root word,
changed only by the prefixes and suffixes used.
Other fun language things:
-combining the words mix and stir turns it into blend.
-There are at least four words associated with rice: rice
field, unhusked rice, uncooked rice, and cooked rice are all different
words. Try explaining this to a four
year old who wants to know the word for rice, then proceeds to use it and
correct me when I use a different word for the uncooked version.
-Spicy as in spicy food is the same word to explain the
feeling of medicine in a cut or sunscreen in the eyes.
We’ve made some incredible progress, but we still have a
ways to go!
