Like last week, I am not terribly
proud of my language study this week, but I managed to review terms/phrases on
Memrise. In addition, though I didn’t produce anything as a result, I began to
attempt looking at Ntihazasigare N'uwo Kubara Inkuru": Itsembabwoko mu
Rwanda (Leave None to Tell the Story: Genocide in Rwanda). As I
anticipated, the Kinyarwanda version might be well above my comprehension
level, but I am sure I can still think of activities to do in relation to the
text- identifying parts of speech, defining words, changing verb tense, etc.
To the extent that I did not achieve
all that I could or should have, I am still very proud of
myself, as I actively thought and talked about Kinyarwanda. Indeed, we
experienced very nice weather last week, and one day, I walked the two and a
half miles to campus. However, insofar as this venture took longer than a bus
ride, I made sure that my time was well-spent. Mentally, I identified the
sights that I saw, and when I could, I would describe them internally. For
example, I saw grass, so I said, “icyatsi! Icyatsi ni icyatsi kibisi” Notice
that the word for “green” comes from the word for “grass.” When I saw trees,
however, I said, “Ibiti! Ibiti ni birebire!” Trees! The trees are tall! When I didn’t know the word and/or
phrase, I was looking for, I tried to take note, so I could look it up later.
Through this process, I came to be familiar with the terms “inzira” and “akayira,”
path/way and small path respectively.
In addition to that small amount of
productivity, I didn’t allow my lackluster Kinyarwanda study to prevent me from
discussing the language with my classmates. Last semester, in particular, I
noted that when I didn’t think I was where I should be in my language study, I
avoided the language completely, out of embarrassment, shame, and maybe even
guilt. This is evidenced in my blog posts from last semester, as well as in my
somewhat unproductive sessions with my language. Now, however, I will still ask
for resources from other L2 learners, compare the language with speakers of
other Bantu languages, and even ask B to be my language partner.
Yes, I emailed B to ask if him he
would be my language partner, and he graciously agreed (in Kinyarwanda no
less). We’re working to identify a schedule, but regardless of what we decide,
I am sure that B will hold me to account. Indeed, due to our one-on-one
intensive study, he is very familiar with what I am capable of and the
standards I hold myself to. Conversely, I am also familiar with what we are capable of and the standards he holds me to, so I think I will be
able to push my language study further. My primary focus, socially at least, is
to avoid avoidance, that is- if and when my language study isn’t where I would
like it to be, continue meeting with B. Do not allow my embarrassment, shame,
and/or guilt to interfere with my language learning, as that will become a
continuous and repetitive cycle if I let it.
Sawa! Murakoze kandi murabeho!
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