PLANTING A LANGUAGE GARDEN IN YOUR MIND
Why learn another language? Research has shown that studying a “foreign” language will improve your analytic and interpretive capacities. Comparing and contrasting two languages helps one to develop insight into the nature of language and culture, and realize there are multiple ways to view the world because you can't master a language without mastering the cultural contexts in which it is used.
For a minister who is bound to travel whether via internet, highway or air at some point in their lives, it is a good idea to learn how others think. And the best place to start is with the study of the language of a group of people you want to get to know—in their own language. Language can never be literally translated word for word from one culture to another. Language IS culture. And to understand why one says something in a certain way you have to study the environment in which that way developed over many centuries of survival. It is best to try to locate a native speaker if you can so you know that you are in touch with the “living” language.
For those who are looking for a challenge, brush off your high school or college language textbook (if you still have one), go to a bookstore (in person or online) and pick out an introductory language book complete with audio recordings by native speakers. You will be PLANTING A GARDEN in your mind which will bear much fruit.
ENJOY YOUR EFFORTS AND EXPAND YOUR WORLD. ~ Mother Nanhi~