Language Studies Update: Mechanics Work!
We are now over a month in to our Swahili studies and have began
to build a firm foundation. We are hopeful that at the end of our three months
we will be comfortable enough to hear Swahili, decode at conversational speed
and respond well. But, we are seeing that conversational Swahili vocabulary and
Biblical vocabulary differ greatly. One example is the word “to do.” In
conversation the word is “fanya” but in the Bible the word is “tenda."
Though Swahili is easy to learn in concept, it is difficult in
the practice of it. The structure is somewhat simple but the application of it,
not so much. Swahili follows a clear and easy set of rules but often times
these rules differ from our English programmed structure of speaking.
Swahili uses a basic sentence structure that goes by the
acronym: STROVE – Subject, Tense, Relative, Object, Verb, Ending. This in mind,
one word can be an entire sentence. Such as the word watakapokuenda meaning:
when they will be going with you. Wa
– subject “they”; ta – tense “future”; kapo – relative “when”; ku – object
“you”; enda – verb “go” so literally as we would think of it in English: they
will when you be going.
We are well on our way in Swahili but it will take another
two months to think in Swahili at conversational speed. However, it will take
about another three months to get used to the Swahili spoken in Congo.
Please pray that our language studies continue well and that
we absorb Swahili as much as possible. Pray that we learn the mechanics well!
You can do it!!!
ReplyDeleteMissing you, can wait to see and hear you speak Swahili. Three language under your belt is a great accomplishment. I'm proud of you. A Continuous pray going your way. God speed be with both of you guys. Love you both dearly. Be bless and stay safe <><
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