Daily, whenever possible, we finish breakfast and turn on the cd player to participate in language study with the Pimsleur method of learning conversational Haitian Creole. " Totally Audio - Scientifically Proven - Interactive Lessons - Only 30 minutes a Day" In addition, whether in our kitchen, walking around the circle with ear buds, or in the car, you just might find us concentrating on the lessons on the cds, this lilting juxtaposition of French and African sounding words, a unique creole with its own syntax and grammar.
Former short-term missionaries to Haiti, Amy and Jim Hardin, sent this program our way when they learned we were preparing for our year. Thankful for their generosity! Word is, Jim had a better grip on the language than any of the other new short timers. We are hoping for the same success with this program as he and Amy enjoyed!
So far, after six sessions ( several repeated over and over and over til we "get it"!), we feel a little more confident about greeting folks in the morning and in the evening, asking about directions and asking if someone would like something to eat or drink, among other useful words and phrases. :)
Justine Iskat also sits us down weekly and brings a patient enthusiasm to her lessons of vocabulary and grammar. She provides the nuances and usage patterns from an American point of view.
It's a slow go. So, if you notice Larry or me muttering to ourselves, or getting a far away look in our eyes with lips silently working, or thumbing through a Haitian Creole-English dictionary at odd times during a conversation, just say a prayer for us!
Justine brought us our first proverb last week, from this country of proverbs - Se peti peti zwazo fe niche. Little by little, the bird builds the nest.
And the application is apparent! Little by little, Lord willing,
We WILL learn Haitian Creole!!!
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