A Language Comparison

From Brad.

I've come to believe that the quickest way to promote humility in one's life is to try to learn a new language. I've been at this language thing at a pretty good clip now for about 2-3 months (with the first month or two dedicated to getting set up and adjusted). Progress is being made and my vocabulary is being expanded, but only with great effort. The maddening thing is that although I find myself wanting to plow through my language books and deepen my ability to communicate, I still feel a great need to work on the most basic of all things...pronunciation. In theory, one learns how to pronounce everything correctly first and then begins the arduous task of memorizing and assimilating. But in a tonal language which is not your own, it's just not that easy.

As Savannah continues to pick up more and more words, I've increasingly heard the locals here say "oh, your pronunciation is perfect/standard." All the while, there is a deafening silence regarding my pronunciation. My house helper suggested the other day that I practice the tones over and over until I master them because "my pronunciation is not accurate". Well, at least I got a new vocabulary word out of that exchange...accurate. Truth be known, she is correct. My pronunciation is understandable, but foreign. In the beginning, this is true for all adults who attempt to learn a second language, and the foreignness is only eliminated with great effort over time. So I'm left admiring my daughter's language skills knowing that I'm exerting 30-40 hrs/week more than her trying to learn and perfect this language. Yes, she's got me whipped in pronunciation, but I can boast in the following:

• When we play our language game together, I typically score in the high 90s and she averages in the mid 60s. Ha!
• I can still communicate (for a little while) with her mom in this second language and she has no clue what we are saying.
• When we hop in a taxi or step into a restaurant, I am the one who gives the destination or the order because my vocabulary is bigger.
• I will often ask her what 'so-and-so' word means in our new language, and when she responds, 'I don't know'...I gloat.
• Whenever she makes a mistake in public...I laugh out loud and announce to everyone that I knew the correct word.

Yeah, she's got me beat in pronunciation, but underneath she's got language problems and faults that are not as easy to see. She's not the language stud that they think she is and if you put the whole package together, I think I edge her out. Besides, one guy from Africa the other day said I am really good at this language. I responded by saying 'I'm not really good' but inside I thought, 'you know, he's right, I am really good at this language'. It's too bad Savannah wasn't there to hear that exchange.