Language File VI: Week-One

          Based on the needs of the team we decided to have one tutor for one learner. The tutors had been selected and trained based on the needs of our learners. Or first task was learning the greetings. I chose to use a very simple question and answer model loosely based on the LAMP manual. The process, as described in post IV, was mildly successful. Problems arose when our tutors did not follow the “lesson plan.” When the learners asked questions the responses were not always constant with the pre-planned lesson.  LAMP does have limitations and we found them. If the tutor cannot read, it is hard for the tutor to remain consistent. The tutor might give an appropriate, yet, unexpected response. On the other hand, if the tutor can read, he or she might be uncomfortable moving off the page, so to speak, in answering questions not written in the lesson. All in all, the question and response drills can be stressful for both the learner and the tutor. It was simply too much to bite off at one time. I am realized the problem and cut my greetings by a half. Instead of learning sixteen phrases, I focused on learning these eight:  

How are you?                                                  Ikoni ai?

                         I am fine.                                                         Ejok.

 My name is Robert.                                          Erai ekakiro Robert.

What is your name?                                           Ŋai ekon kiro?

My name is JB.                                                 Erai ekakiro JB.

Where do you come from?                                 Ai Ibunitor iyong?

From Lomusian.                                                Abunit ayong aLomusian.

How is Lomusian?                                             Ekoni Lomusian ai?

It is good.                                                         Ejok.

I used these eight phrases to get over my feelings of insecurity. The first week was coming to an end and I needed to feel like I had a handle on something. Instead of beating myself up over not completing the lesson, I chose to change the lesson, make it easier, and move ahead. These first phrases were the beginning of my language core (which we will discuss later). Every day I used every phrase as many times as I could. Sometimes, I would understand the response, sometimes not. But, it was ok, I was saying something more than, “do you speak English.” It took me several days to get this thin base, but when I did, I felt as if I could more forward with confidence.      

Language Learning V: Day-One

Let the learning begin! Our fist day of class was full of excitement and STRESS. I have learned to not underestimate the amount of stress that goes along with language learning. Each learner had a personal tutor and I am sure that the tutors were going through similar emotions. Our first few days were based around learning greetings using the simple question and response described earlier. Honestly, from a purely scientific perspective I do not believe that the greetings are the best place to begin learning a language. Often, greetings implement complex sentence forms. In learning greetings the learner runs the risk of getting way a head of himself. However, learning a language is much more than scientific, there I said it.

There is an equally important HUMAN factor. The our-number one goal in learning the Karamojong language is to communicate to the Karamojong people. For this reason, greetings are the best starting point. If I walked up to a young man as he is keeping his sheep and began to recite the basic phonology of his language it would be uninteresting and weird to say the least. However, if I were to walk up to this same Shepard and say, “hello, how are you” I would not only spark the young man’s interest but he might even respond!

The Word Of Life

 

                                                                                            The greatest thing that I have learned in these first three months in Africa is a profound dependence upon the Word of God. For my entire life I have known that the Scriptures are important. However, this has not kept me from neglecting the discipline of communing with the Word. The reality in my brain failed to penetrate my heart. Yet, this all began to change a few years ago. Knowing that my life needed the word of God was not enough. Somehow, I felt that I could live without it. Maybe it was that so many of my "Christian" friends lived without the Word of God and they seemed to do just fine. I had bought into a lie. They were not fine.                              Any christian that neglects the God's Word is disobedient.  

            I remember talking to a dear friend of mind named Mowgli. I remember telling him, “We do not study Scripture because we think that it will make our lives better, but out of devotion to God.” In answering Mowgli’s question the Spirit spoke to me. Had I not been guilty of this very mindset? I had looked to scripture to improve my life and fix my problems instead of seeing devotion to His Truth as my reasonable act of service. The blessing is a byproduct. If the blessing is our goal we are reaching in the wrong direction. Christ must be focal point, not ourselves.         

Language fiIe IV: Tutor Training

Our steps were loosely based on the LAMP method and proved effective. Fortunately, the writing system of Karamojong is written almost how it is pronounced. This was a great advantage, not all of our language helpers could read their own language. The student would make and attempt and then the tutor would correct their pronunciation. The student was then instructed to repeat after the tutor in a type of mimicking exercise. 

The mimicking exercise would go back and forth several times until the learner’s pronunciation was acceptable. (And then the MAGIC would happen.) The acceptable pronunciation of the learner would trigger the response. The learner had asked a question, the question was understood, and a response was given. The next step is liken unto the first. The learner will then mimic the response of the tutor until he or she achieves acceptable pronunciation. (Then the MAGIC happens again!) The tutor will then ask the question and the learner will give the response. If the pronunciation is acceptable the achievement will be celebrated with a word of affirmation or a thumbs up, if not the process continues.            

Language File III: Finding Tutors

Upon arrival, we had the pleasure of meeting a young man named JB. JB was given the opportunity to study in the capital and has a good command of English. As a bilingual Karamojong (one of the few) he has been a great help to the team as a cultural adviser, translator, and friend. JB was the natural choice to help us with the recruiting and training of language tutors. I informed JB of our plan for learning language and asked for his help.

JB became our language coordinator. His responsibility was the hiring of language tutors and translating for me in the training of language tutors. We hired tutors at the common labor rate for the area. The tutors viewed the job as much easier than "labor" and found the opportunity agreeable. In a few days we were up an running. The training of the tutors was simple and direct. We started with a basic question and response approach based on the documentation we had done earlier.
Greetings were first, which fit our situation and the local culture well. Much time was spent explaining what we were trying to accomplish and what was expected from the tutors. Also, I tried to build the confidence of the tutors. I got the feeling early on that the tutors felt as if they would not be able to help because that had not "been to school." I encouraged them that what we needed were people willing to help and who spoke the language. I told them that they were the exact people for the job.

Language file II: The Situation

We are faced with a formidable challenge and a unique situation in learning the Karamojong language. Few outsiders, African or otherwise, have learned this ancient and beautiful language. Much of the linguistic analysis of Karamojong was done by early Italian missionaries, there has been little language documentation done in the past twenty years. For this reason, our first order of business was to produce a recording of useful phrases. This material can be found on our website.

After the initial documentation and some planing, I decided the best approach would not be the traditional barefoot method, but a more structured environment provide by language tutors. However, there was one problem, there were no language tutors. This obstacle was easily overcome by the recruiting and training of a few willing locals.  

to Kenya and Back

Over the past few weeks Maridith and I have gone through a whirlwind of emotions and locales.  We ventured from northern Uganda to northern Kenya. Sounds simple enough, not so.  If we were crows we could have made the trip in a day, but alas we are not. Due to geography, we were obliged to go around and then through the northern Kenyan desert, a trip of four days. In route, we had the pleasure of visiting beautiful Thompson’s falls in the Kenya highlands. From there, we drove on to the Nomadic Gathering.  

This was an informative and challenging week-long event centered on the unique aspects of church planting among nomadic peoples. We met some interesting people and made contacts that will hopefully develop into future partnerships. The trip to and fro was amazing. Kenya is certainly one of the most exceptional and interesting places I have ever been. We learned that donkeys do not move out of the road and baboons will not stand still even for a simple photograph.  

            Our time here in Kenya is coming to a close. Soon we will load the truck and head back to northern Uganda. Over these past three weeks we have learned many lessons in loving each other and trusting in the Lord. Like a good friend told me, your US marriage will not work outside the US. This is certainly true. Maridith and I have changed; therefore, our marriage must change as well. Adjusting to life in the bush is a challenge; everything from communication to eating habits is different. Some days it seems too much, but most days it’s a blast. We are truly growing and changing. Maridith and I are learning how to re-learn marriage and each other. This has been a blessing and God’s guidance has been our greatest advantage as we more forward in life together.