Learning Taiwanese
25/09/2009 9:00 am <>
Four days a week, I sit in my classroom at language school with my teacher, making sounds that are foreign to my tongue and lips. The Taiwanese language has seven tones. I try very hard to get the tones correct, because the tone of a word changes its meaning. I was trying to share a Bible story with a local friend when she corrected my pronunciation. I get my first tone and second tone mixed up, so instead of saying ‘seng2keng1’ (Bible) , I said ‘seng1keng1’ (crazy). Or instead of praising someone for being clever “I chin gau5”, I end up saying she’s a monkey “I chin kau5”.
Language learning is fun when I don’t take myself so seriously. But it can also be an emotional roller coaster. It is discouraging to be corrected – again and again – for the same mistake. It is frustrating when I can’t communicate because of limited vocabulary. But, it is an encouraging and enriching experience when I find I can talk about Jesus in the heart language of my local friends.
Why is it that all new OMF workers spend part of their first term in language study? There are currently 12 of us in language school. Why do we invest the time, money and effort? First, we want to communicate that the gospel is for the Taiwanese people by presenting it in their heart language. Second, it equips us with the language needed to strike up conversations, build relationships and engage with the local community. Third, by speaking their language, we show our Taiwanese friends that we care about them and we are interested in their culture. Finally, as we interact with teachers during language class, we learn about the customs, religious beliefs, cultural and social norms. As our understanding of the local culture increases, we are better able to contextualize the gospel message and make it relevant to the people.
Even in language school, there are opportunities for evangelism. Recently, I was able to share the gospel with my teacher, as we went through the textbook for Christian vocabulary. Being able to use the new words I’d just learnt to share about Jesus served to remind me why I had come to Taiwan and renewed my passion for language study. At a personal level, I find that language learning serves to shape my character. It teaches me about perseverance, humility, patience, discipline, and above all, dependence on God. I am sure that these are qualities that I will need for future ministry with the Taiwanese people. In my early days of language learning, when I only had the vocabulary of a five year-old, I felt like a toddler again. The humbling experience reminded of Jesus’ humility, how He left his heavenly home and humbled Himself to become a man. This gives me a tiny glimpse of what Jesus went through to reach out to people who desperately needed to know Him and His salvation.
Pray that the twelve new workers will persevere faithfully in their studies and make progress. Pray for opportunities and courage to use our new language. Pray that each will grow in Christian maturity as we learn precious lessons of patience, humility and dependence on God. May we keep our eyes on the goal of making Jesus known in the heart language of the Taiwanese people!
Charissa Mak - Taichung
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