You can learn another language! (Matt 24:14; 9:38; okm 07/5; Awake! 2007 3 p10-12)

* attitude / effort+perseverance / some ways easier & more fun / fine results / need your help

* master some basics - how to build sentences

* gather a beginner's vocabulary & key phrases - use word lists

• can speak like a child - express simple thoughts [‘pictures’] joined by link words

• be adaptable - open mind to different form of expression - say it their way

• practise - a little and often - immersion - eat, drink, sleep it [6 days at start?]

• a rut or a step up? - set manageable portions to apply immediately

1 (Word list, key phrases up - to 10 words at a time)

I	wó	we	wómen
you	nï	YOU	nïmen
he, she, it	tå	they	tåmen
speak	shuñ	Hi! Hello! Howdy!	Nï hço!

2 (Simple thoughts)

you

he, she, it

YOU

they

speak

wó

nï

tå

wómen

nïmen

tåmen

shuñ

3 (Ask questions)

Mandarin

pøtñnghuè

is it so?

ma?

4 (How to build sentences)

*You*	nï
You *speak*	nï *shuñ*
You speak *Mandarin*	nï shuñ *pøtñnghuè*
You speak Mandarin, *is it so?* [=do you?]	nï shuñ pøtñnghuè *ma?*

5 (Be ready for answers)

correct!	duð!	I do speak it	shuñ
no, not	bù [or bö]	I do not speak it	bù shuñ

6 (Suitable for immediate use in field or meetings)

xíwèng	would like to	mîngbai	understand
bångzhù	help	Shìngjíng	the Bible [Holy Scriptures]

7 (Adapt your use of different words)

*You understand*	*Nï mîngbai*
You understand, *do you?* [= is it so?]	Nï mîngbai *ma?*
You understand *the Bible*, do you?	Nï mîngbai *Shìngjíng* ma?

8 (Build up sentences gradually)

We	*Wómen*
We *would like*	Wómen *xíwèng*
We would like *to help*	Wómen xíwèng *bångzhù*
We would like to help *you*	Wómen xíwèng bångzhù nï
We would like to help you *to understand*	Wómen xíwèng bångzhù nï *mîngbai*
We would like to help you to understand *the Bible*	Wómen xíwèng bångzhù nï mîngbai *Shìngjíng*

9 (Use link words to join two simple thoughts)

If … [= in the case that …]	röguó …	then … [=in that case …]	nèmuó …
come	læi	go	qù
study	xuêxî	meeting	jùhuð

	*You would like*		*Nï xíwèng*
	You would like *to study*		Nï xíwèng *xuêxî*
	You would like to study *the Bible*		Nï xíwèng xuêxî *Shìngjíng*
If	you would like to study the Bible	*Röguó*	nï xíwèng xuêxî Shìngjíng

	*I would like*		*Wó xíwèng*
	I would like *to come*		Wó xíwèng *læi*
	I would like to come *to help*		Wó xíwèng læi *bångzhù*
	I would like to come to help *you*		Wó xíwèng læi bångzhù nï
*then*	I would like to come to help you	*nèmuó*	wó xíwèng læi bångzhù nï

10 (Try to find a simpler expression)

For example, re-express “If you would like to go to the meeting I'd be happy to come and pick you up.”

You	would like	I	come	help	you	go	meeting	, mm?
Nï	xíwèng	wó	læi	bångzhù	nï	qù	jùhuð	, ma?

11 (Learn some phrases for your purpose)

Please	[you]	accept	this	invitation
Qïng	[nï]	jiéshôu	zhìfìn [or zhìge]	qïngtië

Please	write	you	r [='s]	name	and	mobile	number
Qïng	xië	nï	de	mîngzi	hê	shóují	hèomç

Very	happy	to get to know [=meet]	you
Hën	gåoxðng	rìnshi	nï

Thank you,	thank you!
Xiìxie,	xiìxie!

12 (Use experienced help, if available)

Your elders know how to advise you.