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

we

wǒmen

you

YOU

nǐmen

he, she, it

they

tāmen

speak

shuō  

Hi! Hello! Howdy!

Nǐ hǎo!

 

2 (Simple thoughts)

I

you

he, she, it

we

YOU

they

speak

wǒmen

nǐmen

tāmen

shuō

 

3 (Ask questions)

Mandarin

pǔtōnghuà

is it so?

ma?

 

4 (How to build sentences)

You

You speak

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

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

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

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?

xīwàng

lái

bāngzhù

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

de

míngzi

shǒujī

hàomǎ

 

Very

happy

to get to know [=meet]

you

Hěn

gāoxìng

rènshi

 

Thank you,

thank you!

Xièxie,

xièxie!

 

12 (Use experienced help, if available)

Your elders know how to advise you.