Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Communication-sometimes words are necessary

I live in Japan, therefore, I have learned Japanese so that I can communicate with people around me. Communication is fairly necessary for life. I enjoy communicating with people just for fun, too, not only the times when it is necessary for life-like when the guy comes to check the smoke detectors every summer.

When I went to Peru I was reminded of what it was like when I first came to Japan! Yes, I studied Spanish in high school, for three years. That was, um, several years ago. I did remember the word for luggage because that was one of my sister's friend's favorite words and we said it all the time, rarely in context. But, I got to use it in context while in Peru!

Anyway, even though I have studied Spanish in the past, not much of what I learned would come out of my mouth. I could understand bits of things here and there, especially since some words in Spanish sound similar to English words-unlike Japanese where NOTHING sounds like English! (Okay, so they have borrowed some words from English, but escalator and ice cream don't come up in every day conversation all that much!) So, I sort of understood things, sometimes, but whenever I tried to say something in Spanish, Japanese came out of my mouth! Not so helpful!

What was helpful was that Compassion provided translators for us to aid in communication while we were in Peru. Our family group had a lovely translator named Patty.


Another translator who traveled with us was Fernando (on the right).


Our tour guide and main translator was Soledad (Here she is helping fry chicken! She did everything!).


And, the person who made it possible for me to communicate with Magally all day was Niko.


I am so glad that God gives the gift of languages! These people, and all of the others who traveled with us, have been given a gift from God and are using it for His glory.

I have a renewed desire to study Japanese more, now, so that when you come visit me in Japan I will be able to be an effective conduit for communication! Ask me how I am doing! Keep me accountable! And, most importantly, COME VISIT!

5 comments:

McMGrad89 said...

I know you can do it. You will need to know it well by 2015. Caitlin will be going to Japan for her graduation present. I told her she could see you while she is there.

Shan in Japan said...

Okay! I can do okay now but would love to be able to be better! I will look forward to seeing Caitlin here in Japan!:)

Unknown said...

Haha! My girls are currently taking high school Spanish and thought they were doing pretty well with learning the language...until they went to Mexico this summer. Learning is not the same as using the language. Glad the Lord is moving with you.
Keep up the God work.

Carrie said...

I can totally relate to the language thing - I kept calling beach "la playa" when I was trying to learn Tongan ... very confusing for my teacher :) We would LOVE to visit Japan again!

Tim and Susan said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog...sorry I haven't visited in a while, but it was good to catch up on your summer and especially your compassion trip. What a blessing. I just read about another blog friend's compassion trip recently. So wonderful. I can see how your heart was really touched. What a blessing.
Susan