things to do in 2006
1 Go towards the Equator, no matter how far
Just go South (or North if you're South already), live there a little, get to know people, get to know the culture first hand and share your culture, they need that too.
2 Learn an African language
This is an interesting one: Learn about an African language. Learn a bit of it. Then try to find actual stuff in the language (i.e. no translation dictionary or description of that language). Can't find much? Imagine how it is for speakers/readers of that language. Bonus: Find stuff about History in that language. Extra Bonus: Find something about Science in that language.
3 African writing systems
Learn an African writing system like N'ko, Mandombe or any other. Bonus: Find didactive material written in that script. Extra bonus: Find non religious material in that script.
To be continued...
posted by Denis @ 20:43
5 Comments:
Hi! Noticed you on Malau's and 007's blogs :)
A hint for you: try to gain an interest in Zulu. There's an awful lot of Zulu litterature out there, and it's pretty easy to find in South Africa.
They don't have their own scripture, but they do have their own phonetics. It would help you acheive #2.
Cheers!
Hey!
Nice ideas but:
1) More than close to the equator, I'd rather go to a so-called poor country and learn how much richer than ours it actually is (by its people the cliché usually is, but also by everything else)!
2) While I understand your particular interest in African Languages, I'd say: learn ANY language, especially one that you learn only out of interest, not need.
4) Do keep in touch: call friends, keep replying to emails, joke by email (dont send stupid forwards) and if applicable, try to engage your far-away friends in common projects (online or whatever)
Hey!
Nice ideas but:
1) More than close to the equator, I'd rather go to a so-called poor country and learn how much richer than ours it actually is (by its people the cliché usually is, but also by everything else)!
2) While I understand your particular interest in African Languages, I'd say: learn ANY language, especially one that you learn only out of interest, not need.
4) Do keep in touch: call friends, keep replying to emails, joke by email (dont send stupid forwards) and if applicable, try to engage your far-away friends in common projects (online or whatever)
My fiancé speaks two: Lingala and Kitetela (I hope it is spelled)
I know a couple of words in Lingala like (Spelling is off) Yakka, Bana Bakoli, Na Lingi Yo (ye), but the real interest is Kitetela. It is not spoken by many apparently in the DRC BUT is similiar in many ODD ways to Japanese! They share apparently many similiar word constructs etc. It would be so interesting to learn. That's sorta how I found your page, searching for SOMETHING with Kitetela.
Nice goals, did you choose one yet?
Thanks for your comment Sj
Good luck to you in you Otetela/Kitetela lessons ;-)
There are some Otetela samples at the Global Recording Network, Christian stuff.
I've decided to stick with Lingala for now.
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