You Can Learn Another Language

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

Let’s use Mandarin Chinese as an example here.

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

I	wǒ	we	wǒmen
you	nǐ	YOU	nǐmen
he, she, it	tā	they	tāmen
speak	shuō	Hi! Hello! Howdy!	Nǐ hǎo!

2 (Simple thoughts)

you

he, she, it

YOU

they

speak

wǒ

nǐ

tā

wǒmen

nǐmen

tāmen

shuō

3 (Ask questions)

Mandarin

pǔtōnghuà

is it so?

ma?

4 (How to build sentences)

*You*	nǐ
You *speak*	nǐ *shuō*
You speak *Mandarin*	nǐ shuō *pǔtōnghuà*
You speak Mandarin, *is it so?* [=do you?]	nǐ shuō pǔtōnghuà *ma?*

5 (Be ready for answers)

correct!	duì!	I do speak it	shuō
no, not	bù [or bú]	I do not speak it	bù shuō

6 (Suitable for immediate use in field or meetings)

xīwàng	would like to	míngbai	understand
bāngzhù	help	Shèngjīng	the Bible [Holy Scriptures]

7 (Adapt your use of different words)

*You understand*	*Nǐ míngbai*
You understand, *do you?* [= is it so?]	Nǐ míngbai *ma?*
You understand *the Bible*, do you?	Nǐ míngbai *Shèngjīng* ma?

8 (Build up sentences gradually)

We	*Wǒmen*
We *would like*	Wǒmen *xīwàng*
We would like *to help*	Wǒmen xīwàng *bāngzhù*
We would like to help *you*	Wǒmen xīwàng bāngzhù nǐ
We would like to help you *to understand*	Wǒmen xīwàng bāngzhù nǐ *míngbai*
We would like to help you to understand *the Bible*	Wǒmen xīwàng bāngzhù nǐ míngbai *Shèngjīng*

9 (Use link words to join two simple thoughts)

If … [= in the case that …]	rúguǒ …	then … [=in that case …]	nàmuǒ …
come	lái	go	qù
study	xuéxí	meeting	jùhuì

	*You would like*		*Nǐ xīwàng*
	You would like *to study*		Nǐ xīwàng *xuéxí*
	You would like to study *the Bible*		Nǐ xīwàng xuéxí *Shèngjīng*
If	you would like to study the Bible	*Rúguǒ*	nǐ xīwàng xuéxí Shèngjīng

	*I would like*		*Wǒ xīwàng*
	I would like *to come*		Wǒ xīwàng *lái*
	I would like to come *to help*		Wǒ xīwàng lái *bāngzhù*
	I would like to come to help *you*		Wǒ xīwàng lái bāngzhù nǐ
*then*	I would like to come to help you	*nàmuǒ*	wǒ xīwàng lái bāngzhù nǐ

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?
Nǐ	xīwàng	wǒ	lái	bāngzhù	nǐ	qù	jùhuì	, ma?

11 (Learn some phrases for your purpose)

Please	[you]	accept	this	invitation
Qǐng	[nǐ]	jiēshòu	zhèfèn [or zhège]	qǐngtiě

Please	write	you	r [='s]	name	and	mobile	number
Qǐng	xiě	nǐ	de	míngzi	hé	shǒujī	hàomǎ

Very	happy	to get to know [=meet]	you
Hěn	gāoxìng	rènshi	nǐ

Thank you,	thank you!
Xièxie,	xièxie!

12 (Use experienced help, if available)

Your elders know how to advise you.