Language bloopers and blunders
Topic: Language & Culture
Posted on behalf of the Anthis family:

As we learn Hausa we realize how many interesting culture points can be learned by studying a language. It seems in Hausa the verb to finish "gama" is never used in the present tense. The project is either finished or it will be finished, there is no act of finishing. We have found this to be true in our life experience here as well. We have begun many household projects (new security doors, fixing toilets, having furniture made) but none seem to be finishing, all "will be finished" some time in the future!

It is amazing how many words in Hausa have more than one meaning. For example the word "kai" means 1. the head 2. some thing bad has happened 3. you (masculine) 4. to take something to someone. The meaning is determined by the tone and the context! We have so much to learn.

It is also important to use proper tone and pronunciation as some words sound very much like other words with very different meanings. The word "zuwa" means to come or go in the present tense. The word "zawo" means to have diarrhea. We were practicing saying "we go to school each morning" and managed to announce "we have diarrhea each morning at school." Pray for us as we do see the need to learn Hausa to have an effective ministry.

A language break through
Topic: Language & Culture
Posted on behalf of Cindy:
This week I actually had my first conversation in Hausa that went beyond a greeting. I was in a taxi (as is my custom so I can hear Hausa and see Jos from a local prospective) and I was obviously not a local! One of the other passengers (there were 6 of us not counting the driver in a small Peugeot) asked if I was a new teacher at Hillcrest school. She asked in Hausa and I actually understood and answered, "no, I work at JanKwano Hospital" in Hausa. This response was greeted by roars of laughter and nods of approval by all present. I was then asked if I was a nurse. I responded in Hausa that I was a "Likita" which means doctor. There was more laughter and rapid speech that I did not understand. I'm sure it was all very complimentary!

Language Study
Topic: Language & Culture
Posted on behalf of the Anthis family:

Hausa language study has begun. Joel and Cindy are meeting with Maluum Garba each day in the morning, and practicing what they learn in the market, on the station, and around town during the day. So you will start to learn with us as well. "Sanu" = hello. "Yaya uwargida" = How is your wife? Cindy tried this Hausa phrase out on a man in Abuja. He replied in English, "but you have only asked me about my first wife. You must say "Yaya amarie" to ask how is my new wife." So let us say "Salamu alaikum" to you all, which means "Peace unto you!"

Church in Abuja
Topic: Language & Culture
Posted on behalf of the Anthis family:

While in Abuja we went to church for what we thought was a standard 2 hour service. We ended up at Wuse zone 3 ECWA church's annual choir day service with visiting choirs and a visiting pastor. Allison chose to go to Sunday School instead of sit in the service. She did great. We were the only bituri (Hausa for "white people") in the church, and Allison didn't seem to notice. Three hours into the service Joel said surely it will end soon. The theme of the day was "God will not be mocked." One choir then sang a song about hypocrites. This was a very upscale church in the capital city, and had a video monitoring the service. During the hypocrite song Austin said "Dad, look you're on the TV screen up front," and sure enough there was the balding "bituri." At the four hour mark Abigail was fading, and we discretely made our way out the back.

Update:

Language and Culture
Topic: Language & Culture
Posted on behalf of Cindy:

We have started our language training and I must say it is very humbling to have my 5 and 6 year old neighbors correcting my speaking. This week as I sat outside in our yard with all the children from the neighborhood practicing saying the names of different fruit that I had learned in the market, a little Nigerian girl asked me an interesting question. She asked me how many children did I have, and how many children had died. Two of her siblings had died because they had "sick hearts." Infant sibling mortality was a presumption to her, and to many children around the world. "I have three children, and they are all alive." Then pointing to Abigail, our youngest child, she said to me "you didn't birth her did you?" I was not sure what she meant so I asked her to say it again. She said, "the little one, you did not birth her." She was definitely referring to Abby who was running away from a little boy of about 1&1/2 years who had already successfully kissed her on the cheek. I said, "of course I birthed her, I am her mother." The little girl thought for a while and said, "she doesn't look like you, she has white hair." I explained that she was still my daughter even though she has different hair than I do. The girl was not convinced, but pointed to Allison and said that she was sure I had birthed Allison! Since I was there for all three of my children's births I said, "I can promise you I birthed them all!"

Cultural News
Topic: Language & Culture
Posted on behalf of the Anthis family:

In cultural news: I (cindy) have decided not to learn to drive here for now. As I have a very hard time even keeping my eyes open when someone else in navigating the traffic, it is best I don't drive. The alternative to driving is public transport. I have been figuring out how to use this system of taxis and drop off points to get around town. It costs about 20 cents to go most places (the really far places are 40cents!) The cars are all small by American standards and before they will go any where they have to have 6 passengers (2 in the front with the driver and 4 crammed into the back). I have met some interesting people and have been amazed how much stuff you can ram into one small car (live chickens have to ride in the trunk!) I think using transport will help me when we get going in our language as most of the drivers don't speak English.