Learning language ... pigstyle

It would probably never occur to most of us to use a little clay pig that a good friend gave us to help us learn a language. Not so for Lindsey Burrows, who is working hard to build relationships, learn culture and speak the language.

She chose this knick-knack along with an average cereal bowl to help her learn placement words. She says, “I am currently in Stage One of language study, which is about learning to relate through the common and familiar.”

This idea of putting the little pig in different places relative to the bowl helps her visualize the word she is learning. Attempting to learn 30-45 new words a day is no small order.

So whether it’s placing it upside down, underneath, beside, on the left side, etc., this little clay pig is proving to be a very useful tool in Lindsey’s quest to learn a language. She has figured out how to come up with an endless supply of common and familiar words by using this simple activity.

This first language that she learns in conjunction with the cultural way of interacting and communicating is the first step that will begin to bridge a gap that will allow her to reach those who have never heard. This would be the language that the country itself has declared to be their “official” or “national” language.

Missionaries to tribal people will then move out to a tribal location where they will again embark on learning yet another language. Often this is a language that is not even written down yet and learning will take place apart from books and study material other than what the missionary develops for themselves.

Then some other missionaries who are also just as committed to reaching tribal people with the gospel will serve in the capacity of helping those who live right in the tribal locations. They will be a help by performing those daily tasks that can take up so much time, not to mention the travel involved from their jungle locations. This will demand that the “support” missionary speak this “official” language quite fluently.

If Lindsey does the job of buying supplies or setting up appointments or any number of other “support” ministries needed to reach tribal people with the gospel, this first language that she learns will prove the most important.

If she plans to move out to a tribal location, the principles and disciplines of learning that she uses for this language and the creative ideas she employs will be so helpful in that endeavor as well.

Let’s pray for this very time consuming stage for missionaries who go to make disciples. Pray for creative ideas like Lindsey’s little pig.

You can discover how to learn another language -- even an unwritten one. It's one of the many topics in NTM's missionary training.