Jen's Journey: May 2005

Language Learning Is Easier With Friends

language learning

Language learning is a mind game! But the game's instructions are in a foreign language and the rules change constantly. It's a game that includes moments when you want to throw the game board in the air and quit! A game that includes repeating to yourself things like "I can get this. I WILL get this." There have been days when I wondered how many more times I was going to have to review something before I got it, and when I was so frustrated that I wanted to (and did, sometimes) cry.

I have to laugh at myself as I struggle through saying simple phrases like, "I would like to buy a train ticket." And of course there are the fabulously funny mistakes I've made. Once I was trying to pronounce the word "cacaquette" or peanut and couldn't get past the first syllable. So it was something like, "caca, caca, caca, cacaquette". It wasn't until after class that I realized that "caca" is the French word for poop. So in reality I had been saying, "poop, poop, poop, peanut". And I wondered why my French teacher was giggling.

In order to make room for the thousands of new vocabulary, verb tenses, pronoun uses and nuances, I have had to delete some of my English. Writing emails and even talking in English is getting harder because I have to pause and ask, "How is that spelt? Is it music or musique? Where do I put the adjective? Is it a red shirt or shirt red?" I've found myself in conversations with my fellow students where we have to work together to retrieve an English word that we've hidden somewhere at the bottom of our brains. Good thing I have spell checker on my computer.

But despite all this, the language learning process has been full of blessings. God has been so faithful to provide for me during this time. I have met some awesome new friends, have seen beautiful parts of France and Switzerland. I'm also really enjoying singing worship songs in French, reading my Bible in French, and watching French movies. And my new adventure, going to the weekly open-air market and buying fresh fruits and vegetables--in French. When I get discouraged I need to take time to look back at where I was just a few short months ago and see just how far the Lord has taken me. And that's the biggest rule of the game. I can't do this on my own...it's by God's strength that I remember 17 different verb conjugations!

Now where did I put that French grammar book?....

Raclette: a traditional French meal

Canadian flag

Top Ten Things I Miss About Home

10) Tim Horton's (especially their Vanilla Frappuccinos)
9) Hockey. I never realized how much hockey is a part of Canadian culture until I moved overseas. And I never thought I'd miss it. Oh, and curling, too.
8) The Canadian "eh". You know what I mean, eh?
7) Mounties. Not that I had much contact with them personally (he, he) but I do miss the Red Serge uniform.
6) Being able to drive and drive and drive, and still only make it across one province. (PS Listen to The BareNaked Ladies "Canada Is Really BIG" for a good laugh!)
5) Rodeos, potholes the size of my car, having to stop on the side of the highway to allow a tractor to pass, thunderstorms, northern lights and small town hospitality.
4) This Hour Has 22 Minutes, The Red Green Show, The National, The Passionate Eye, Sesame Park, Corner Gas and other "quality" Canadian TV programs.
3) Canadian vocabulary such as: toque, timbits, curling, shinny, back bacon, gophers.
2) Cheddar cheese. I may be living in the land of a thousand cheeses, but the one kind they don't have is the one that I crave. Good ol' strong cheddar...in a grilled cheese sandwich...with Heinz ketchup.
1) Family and friends. I know, getting emotional on the last one here....