{"id":10791,"date":"2016-10-24T09:52:29","date_gmt":"2016-10-24T07:52:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mafrsaprovince.com\/?p=10791"},"modified":"2016-10-24T09:52:29","modified_gmt":"2016-10-24T07:52:29","slug":"learning-a-new-language","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mafrsaprovince.com\/index.php\/2016\/10\/24\/learning-a-new-language\/","title":{"rendered":"Learning a New Language"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"thierry-jawiyambe-uyirwoth-2016_jpeg\"<\/a>By Thierry Uyirwoth<\/strong>, Stagiaire at St. Lawrence, Lusaka<\/span><\/p>\n

I struggled to improve my English and learn few words in Chibemba at my novitiate in Kasama last year. Now, I have just completed ten weeks of Chichewa or Chinyanja, as it is called in Zambia. I am very happy as I am building a foundation for my future missionary life. As Frank Smith said: \u201cthe limits of my language are the limits of my world\u201d. Ludwig Wittgenstein also said: \u201cA different language is a different vision of life.\u201d By learning new languages, I feel that I am opening myself to the world. It is really a special gift that I am receiving from the Society of the Missionary of Africa.<\/span><\/p>\n

In return, I do my best in learning new languages. As a group, we started after a session offered by<\/span> FENZA<\/a> called \u201cWelcome to Zambia\u201d which gives a general view of Zambia. It took me some courage and conviction but I am able now to speak some basic Chichewa\/Chinyanja.<\/span><\/p>\n

I am overwhelmed with joy when I interact with people. They are happy to see that I am putting efforts to learn their language with enthusiasm. I feel challenged when I see people like me who have learnt and speak a foreign language. Soon, I will be fluent in Chichewa\/Chinyanja.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"learning-a-new-language-03\"<\/a>We had a nice group of students. We were united in the struggle and work together. We found means of supporting each other. As a Chichewa\/Chinyanja proverb says, \u201cMutu umodzi susenza denga\u201d, meaning \u201cone head does not carry a roof\u201d. Hence, we were motivated to work together. This spirit of togetherness helped me a lot to go ahead. We were really a family though coming from different countries such as the USA, DRCongo, Kenya, South Korea, India, Ireland and Togo.<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, it has not been always easy. At times, I was discouraged as I could not see much progress. Perseverance is the key. As we were saying, \u201cpang\u2019ono pang\u2019ono ndi mtolo\u201d. This proverb was for us a motto. Literally, it means; \u2018a bundle of firewood grows gradually.\u2019 In other words: \u2018gradual and persistent attempts reach their objective\u2019. That proverb helped me by concentrating my efforts.<\/span><\/p>\n

Most missionaries I have encountered have been telling me that knowing languages is the key for a fruitful mission. Therefore, I am putting all my efforts in view of enjoying the mission. Today, I can agree with them, when you know the language, you find yourself part of the people to whom you are sent. It is really a nice experience. After learning the structure and grammar of Chichewa\/Chinyanja, we now have to go into the field and practice. May God help us always to give our best in the mission which we have been entrusted.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thanks be to God for giving us this opportunity through the Society of Missionary of Africa. A special word of thanks to FENZA community for their hospitality, to the teachers, all the students, especially my fellow stagiaires; Chandan Nayak, Emile Baguma and Emmanuel Kopke with whom we had a good time.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t