So, I'm sure you all are wondering if I am learning any Chinese while I'm here.
To tell you the truth, I don't know if I am LEARNING much, but I sure have a lot of homework. ;)
Chinese differs from English in just about every way. There is no alphabet, though the children in school learn bopomofo to aid in pronunciation, it's not used for writing in the general public. (It does show up in my textbook though. -Thankfully. It's easier to read.) Chinese is learned by memorization and recitation. As you probably already know, Chinese is very much a tonal language. One character can mean multiple things, and one phrase in the wrong tones can send a completely different message. The neat things about those characters though, is that they are pictures. Some of them very clearly tell Bible stories. -That can be a great way to share the gospel with my Chinese friends. I enjoy learning to read and write the characters.
Every week a tutor comes and helps us through our textbook. According to our tutor, we are way behind schedule! -I feel a little behind where we are now... I only understand about half of what I should. My reading and writing is much better than my speaking and listening. I can read about half of the characters I see in the school (simpler due to it being elementary school). However, I struggle to converse with the children verbally or even go shopping. Alas! At least my blonde hair means that most people will try English first. ;)
Perhaps later I can show you one of the characters in my Chinese name that tells the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand.
I am so grateful for God's help. -And I must say, that the more Scripture I memorize, the easier the Chinese is to memorize. It is so true that in HIM are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. And, whenever I have needed Chinese in an "emergency" to communicate, God brings to mind the words I need- even if I haven't learned them yet. My Father has no problem with Chinese!
Until next time,
"Bob" (The name all my Chinese friends call me- Barbara is too hard for them.)
To tell you the truth, I don't know if I am LEARNING much, but I sure have a lot of homework. ;)
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| practicing writing the characters |
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| flashcards |
Every week a tutor comes and helps us through our textbook. According to our tutor, we are way behind schedule! -I feel a little behind where we are now... I only understand about half of what I should. My reading and writing is much better than my speaking and listening. I can read about half of the characters I see in the school (simpler due to it being elementary school). However, I struggle to converse with the children verbally or even go shopping. Alas! At least my blonde hair means that most people will try English first. ;)
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| reading a story (in bopomofo) in my textbook |
I am so grateful for God's help. -And I must say, that the more Scripture I memorize, the easier the Chinese is to memorize. It is so true that in HIM are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. And, whenever I have needed Chinese in an "emergency" to communicate, God brings to mind the words I need- even if I haven't learned them yet. My Father has no problem with Chinese!
Until next time,
"Bob" (The name all my Chinese friends call me- Barbara is too hard for them.)
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