Staying on Track...
Hi Everyone, Hope all is well! I've been busy focusing on my four objectives. You may remember I wrote about them in January--they are 1/ to learn the Czech language; 2/ to learn the Czech culture; 3/ build relationships with as many Czechs as I can; 4/ be in prayer asking God to reveal what my future ministry will be here. I have been living here for 5 months and I am learning so many things about the culture, the language, the people and also about myself.
The Czech language is quite different from English. One fellow missionary I thought summoned up the differences in a good way--English is a word-driven language while Czech is ending/prefix-driven language. For me it is quite interesting to study Czech and also quite challenging, too. Sometimes one or two Czech words summons up a 5/6 phrase of English (both meaning the same thing). But slowly I am starting to understand more and more. As I sit and listen to Czechs speak to each other--I listen intently trying to pick out the word(s) I might know. Then I usually have a Czech ask if I know what someone is talking about--I share my thoughts and not always but sometimes I am right. I appreciate the continued prayers for my language learning.
I am thankful for my mother-tongue of English. God is using it to help me build relationships with Czechs. There are many Czechs who know a little English and are studying it but they have a hard time finding someone to practice their English with. During the week, I meet regularly with Czechs interested in practicing their English plus he/she gives me time to practice my Czech with them. It can be quite interesting working with someone who speaks a little English--it is the best situation because we both have to work hard to communicate and understand each other. And English is challenging for Czechs because they are not use to such a strict word order in sentences or having to use so many little articles (a, the etc.) like there is in the English language.
That's a little bit about how I am staying on track with my 4 objectives. For culture learning I am asking plenty of questions and doing a lot of observing. I also have monthly assignments from my mission agency--the assignments are called On-Target. In a future blog entry I'll explain more about what On-Target is :)
For now take care until next time!
Blessings,
Colleen
The Czech language is quite different from English. One fellow missionary I thought summoned up the differences in a good way--English is a word-driven language while Czech is ending/prefix-driven language. For me it is quite interesting to study Czech and also quite challenging, too. Sometimes one or two Czech words summons up a 5/6 phrase of English (both meaning the same thing). But slowly I am starting to understand more and more. As I sit and listen to Czechs speak to each other--I listen intently trying to pick out the word(s) I might know. Then I usually have a Czech ask if I know what someone is talking about--I share my thoughts and not always but sometimes I am right. I appreciate the continued prayers for my language learning.
I am thankful for my mother-tongue of English. God is using it to help me build relationships with Czechs. There are many Czechs who know a little English and are studying it but they have a hard time finding someone to practice their English with. During the week, I meet regularly with Czechs interested in practicing their English plus he/she gives me time to practice my Czech with them. It can be quite interesting working with someone who speaks a little English--it is the best situation because we both have to work hard to communicate and understand each other. And English is challenging for Czechs because they are not use to such a strict word order in sentences or having to use so many little articles (a, the etc.) like there is in the English language.
That's a little bit about how I am staying on track with my 4 objectives. For culture learning I am asking plenty of questions and doing a lot of observing. I also have monthly assignments from my mission agency--the assignments are called On-Target. In a future blog entry I'll explain more about what On-Target is :)
For now take care until next time!
Blessings,
Colleen
posted by Darlingc on a Czech Journey at
11:15 AM
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