Languages

So... how many known languages do you think there are in the world?

The answer continues to change, but right now, it is at more than 7000 (I've seen from 7,111 to 7,362). The number goes up as new languages are identified, and it may reduce as a language initially thought to be a separate language is determined to be the same as another, or as a language dies out.

How many languages have the complete Bible in their language?

This number is also changing (thankfully, going up as translations are completed), but it is somewhere around 670 languages.

How many have any scripture in their language?

According to the Seed Company website (https://seedcompany.com/), 4866 have either the complete Bible, the New Testament, or, at least, Bible translation has begun.

 2,184 languages have no Scripture in their language.

Here are some pictures from a panel that was displayed during the Explore Bible Translation class that I attended.

If you were previously in the 72%, I hope now you are in the 28% who are aware!!

I think that this might be the most heart-rending quote, as people who do not have the Bible sometimes believe that it is because God only loves those who speak English, or French, or whatever language they know has a Bible in their language - that He is not God for them.

Target: 0 people without Scripture, 0 people waiting to hear God speak their language, 0 people who haven't heard of His love.

When I think about how many English translations I have access to, how I often switch from one to another to get a different perspective on Scripture, how dependent I am on reading God's Word and hearing from God through His Word, I realize how incredibly wealthy I am, and it makes me want to make a difference for those who do not have God's Word available in a language that they can understand.

Robo-calls at the Welcome Desk!

I filled in at the Welcome Desk on Wednesday afternoon... about halfway through my time there, at a time when all the switchboard calls were forwarded to the Welcome Desk phone... a robocall started calling through on all the lines on campus... over and over and over the phone rang - all 4 lines at the Welcome Desk were ringing at the same time.

I answered the first one, "International Linguist...." I started, but was interrupted by "Nihao..." followed by more words in Chinese (I guess, I only recognized "Nihao" or "Hello"). I could tell that it was a recorded voice, so I hung up to go to the next call... again, "Nihao..." - as quickly as I answered one call, another call came in.

My guess is that the robocaller was calling through all the numbers on campus. Some of them were answered by the people whose desk phone was being called, but, if the person wasn't at their desk, and their phone automatically forwards to the switchboard... well... they came to me.

I was answering these calls continuously for several minutes! I am guessing that there were more than 50 or 100 calls! The incoming number was the same area code and exchange, but the last 4 numbers were continuously changing.

After it was done, I wondered if Candid Camera was around!

When you're on a campus with linguists...

When you're on a campus with people whose passion is language, I guess you should expect to see signs like this, posted on one of the refrigerators on campus:

US Post Office Food Drive

Saturday, May 11 was the day that the US Postal Office workers collected shelf-stable food from customers across the country (https://about.usps.com/corporate-social-responsibility/nalc-food-drive.htm). Crisis Ministries, the food pantry where I volunteer on Tuesdays, was one of the recipient sites for donations from Irving, TX, and I went in to help as I could.

Thankfully, there were a number of young folks who were there to help out...

Three guys loaded bags and boxes from the Post Office onto their pickup trucks and drove them to the front of the Crisis Ministries location, where many hands helped to bring them inside the building...

We stacked the bags and boxes in one area in the center, and then everyone got busy sorting them into storage boxes.

Dry goods were sorted into boxes on a table...

Canned goods went into blue bins that were labeled, inventoried, and then put onto shelves for use in the coming weeks and months as clients come to receive food from Crisis Ministries.

We were thankful to receive this donation of items that we will be able to distribute to needy families in the Irving area!

Ripley's Believe It Or Not

When I was about 8 years old, Uncle Carl and Auntie Anne took Jimmy and me to Florida to visit cousin Mary Jane and family. I remember many things about that trip - I blogged earlier about "South of the Border" (https://trekincartwrights.blogspot.com/2016/05/south-of-border.html) where I wanted to stop (but we did not).

One place that we *did* visit was Ripley's Believe It or Not" in St Augustine, Florida. I thought that there was only one Ripley's Believe It or Not" Museum, and, maybe when we went (1967?) the first one, there in St Augustine, was the only one...

But now, there are many (according to Wikipedia, anyway: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ripley%27s_Believe_It_or_Not!#Museums). A couple of weeks ago, we were looking for a company that could engrave on a brick for us, and Helen and I ended up next door to the one that is in Grand Prairie, TX.

While she went in to find out prices in anticipation of bringing friends from PNG later, I took pictures outside:

Any guesses?

If you guessed a Giant Barbed Wire Ball, you're right!

But of course, Crochet Lions!

I couldn't find a sign to identify what was special about this gorilla - he appeared to be made from gear parts...

A story from Cameroon

You might be asking, as I have, at least in my mind, "If the people in these countries speak multiple languages, why is it so important that the Bible be in their heart language?"

Matthew and Teresa Lee told a story at "Sing & Share" a few weeks ago. They are serving in Cameroon (currently here on campus while he does additional study at Dallas International University). While I was in Explore Bible Translation class last week, I got to hear the story again - I think it well explains why it is so important to have scripture in one's mother tongue:

"We Have Never Heard This Story Before"

The Yambetta Story

At a Good Friday service in 1980, Leonard Bolioki stepped to the front of the church he attended in Cameroon and began to read the story of Jesus' crucifixion. Always before, this passage from John's Gospel had been read in French, but this time the priest had asked Leonard to read a portion that had been translated into the local language, Yambetta.

As he read, he became aware of a growing stillness; then some of the older women began to weep. At the end of the service they rushed up to Leonard and ask, "Where did you find this story? We have never heard anything like it before! We didn't know there was someone who loved us so much that he was willing to suffer and die like that... to be crucified on a cross to save us!"

Leonard pulled out his French New Testament and showed them that the story was in the Bible. "We listen to this Passion Story every year during Holy Week," he told them, but they insisted that they'd never heard it before. That, says Leonard, is what motivated him to translate the Scriptures into the only language his people could really understand -- Yambetta!

Leonard had to work full-time to support his family, and for many years, he could only translate when he found free moments. By 2008 Leonard and other Yambettas had drafted just 35% of the New Testament.

And then in 2008, the Seed Company picked up the project and began providing funds for training, equipment, and living expenses for Leonard and his team of translators and literacy teachers. In addition, SIL Cameroon was also able to assign someone to work alongside them as a consultant. The New Testament is now complete and it was dedicated in November 2017!

Leonard says, "I took it upon myself to translate for my people this Word of God that gives life. From 1980 on, this goal remained uncertain. But now, I can see the realization of this dream, and I can only be happy -- VERY happy! May this Word of Life that has saved many people from other language groups also save the Yambetta people!"

Matthew and Teresa went on to tell us that they were there for the great celebration in November 2017 when this New Testament was given out. One of the ladies who had been so touched by hearing the scripture in her language for the first time some 40 years ago was still alive and was there to receive her first copy of the scriptures in her heart language.

Leonard Bolioki died in November, 2018, just a year after completing this task.

I was so blessed to hear this story!

If you are interested in knowing more about Matthew and Teresa, or supporting their work in prayer or financially, please visit https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/302162

Note: As I understand it, the Seed Company is a partner organization with Wycliffe and SIL that helps with financial needs in scripture translation projects.

Miss Doozie is going in for service...

I've been dealing with roof leaks on the bus for a few weeks, and had made an appointment to get Miss Doozie in for service, so that is scheduled for Monday. I decided to move the bus to the RV service center on Saturday because (1) I didn't want to try to drive in rush hour traffic on Monday morning, and (2) I have a lot of activities planned for Sunday that didn't leave me much window for getting Miss Doozie moved on Sunday.

So, Miss Doozie is parked at the "Campground" at National Indoor RV Service Center.

Can you see Miss Kitty looking out the front window?

I am hoping that they can get all the things done quickly... besides the roof leak, my auxiliary air compressor is not coming on, and I need to get the dump valve seals replaced on the grey and black tank. I'm also planning to get the air conditioners serviced (before going into Dallas summer!), and getting the rig washed and waxed to help maintain the finish.

Usually we have been able to stay in the rig while getting service here, but they aren't sure that is going to be possible with the work on the roof needing to be done... so Miss Kitty and I are planning to be "flexible"... or, at least, I am planning to be flexible and Miss Kitty will come along with me! We'll see what that looks like over the next few days!

Apologies for the silence...

I realized that I haven't posted for a few days... I am in the Explore Bible Translation course on campus this week, and it is keeping me SUPER busy -- 7am - 8pm, and then I am TIRED!

I hope I will be able to remember enough to write some updates once class is done... it goes through noon on Saturday.... and then I am going to be moving the rig to the RV service center, so next week is going to be "odd" too...

So, I'll just ask that you will be patient with me!

My Language Matters

Today was the day for the "My Language Matters" event on the International Linguistics Center campus. Some pictures from the day...

We had stickers!

Welcome by Jim Roberts

The ladies who would be helping with serving the food - several of whom I work with during the week!

A performance of a Mongolian folk song

Dr Sunny Hong

Dr Robin Harris

Ron Nelson, Founder/Director - Sowing Seeds of Joy

It was VERY rainy before the event began, but the rain stopped at about the time that the event started, so by the time we needed to go from one building to another for the breakout sessions, it was not raining (or not raining *much*!). I enjoyed helping and hearing!

Recycling

As I was walking around the campus on Monday, I found recycling bins and took pictures of what they take...

Plastics, aluminum, cans, foil

Paper and cardboard recycling

So, I'm now saving paper and cardboard and plastic containers again!. We had been doing that when we were traveling - often, the back of the Jeep would be filled nearly to overflowing as we would not have found recycling locations. I had stopped doing it - it was just too difficult for me to deal with for a while, but... I'm getting back together and am back to recycling again!

Explore Bible Translation

A few weeks ago, I got an email from Wycliffe about a class that they offer - and it happens to be scheduled to occur on the campus where I am staying during May 13-18.
https://www.wycliffe.org/events/explore-bible-translation

I wasn't sure whether I should try to go at this time or not - in some ways, it is perfect timing, allowing me to learn more about Bible translation right at the beginning of my stay here... but in other ways, it is not great timing - it is the last week that one of the other volunteers will be here before leaving for the summer, and the lady who has been doing the role and instrumental in defining what the volunteer office does is just going to be here through May, and so it takes away a week that I could use to spend time learning from her... but... I talked with several folks on campus and they all agreed that I should attend it now, so I've signed up.

I am really looking forward to learning about roles besides direct language translation - from the write-up:

This event is not only for those who have a background in languages. Our teams consist of all sorts of personnel, including those with training in education, the arts, HR, management, counseling, computer science, administration, finance, engineering, marketing, editing and more. Each person's unique gifting has a role to play in this ministry.

Please pray with me that God will use this event to help me understand His role for me, whether it be with Bible translation or in some other area.

I am grateful for you caring and praying for me!

Multi-colored eggs

I volunteered at the food pantry (Crisis Ministries, https://crisis-ministries.org/) today, and we got a donation of 31+ dozen eggs from a local lady who raises chickens. She must have quite an assortment of chickens as there were eggs of all different colors and sizes!

This was the last partial dozen, and includes a few "Easter egg" colored eggs from her Ameraucana chickens. Some of the eggs were *huge* - the top 4 here are of the larger variety.

There were also some smaller ones, and various shades of brown eggs. We separated them into dozen-sized cartons and prepared them to give out to clients.

It is wonderful how many people help out at the pantry!

A funny story

On Friday, I was working at the Welcome Desk on the SIL campus. One of the tasks I was to do is to call the "donut person". One of the donut shops in town donates donuts left at the end of their day (about noontime) to the campus... we just need to bring trays from the cafeteria and pick them up.

So, I called the guy who was the "donut person", but he didn't answer. I left a message asking him to call to confirm that he was going... but he didn't. It was getting near noon, and I had not found anyone else to get the donuts... so I decided that I could do it. I hadn't done it before, so I got a quick task description, and took off for the cafeteria to pick up the trays.

When I showed up at the cafeteria, the manager looked at me as if she thought I was there to work on the dining line... I told her that I could come back and work the dining line, but right now, I needed to get the donut trays. She was helping me get the trays that I needed, when another cafeteria worker kindly asked me if I needed a meal to go since I probably wouldn't get lunch. I said, "No, that's ok."

The cafeteria manager then said to me, "I am going to need to teach you how to say 'no'."
I contritely said, "Oh, I should have said, 'No, thank you.' I'm sorry, I will do better next time."
She said, "No, I mean, around here, lots of people will ask you to do tasks for them. You can't do them all. You need to say 'no' sometimes!"

I got the giggles, because I really thought that she was being a "mom" and reminding me to say "thank you"!!!

I safely found my way to the correct donut shop, took the trays in and got them loaded with the donated donuts, and then delivered them back to the appointed spots on campus -- AND made it back to the cafeteria line by about 12:10pm, in time to help with at least part of the lunch rush!

So far, I'm thoroughly enjoying everything I am either being asked to do, or volunteering to do (in the case of the donut runner, I volunteered). I was thinking when I finished up at the Welcome Desk on Friday, as I was walking across the campus -- what a wonderful feeling it was to leave "work" and not feel that I have left anything unfinished, as the job is just being there and taking care of the things that come up... so no feeling that I should stay longer to finish up some additional tasks!

I am, indeed, wonderfully blessed!

A print in the Welcome area

While I've been serving by answering phones in the Welcome Desk area of the SIL campus, I have noticed this print:

 In the desk drawer, I found a bookmark with a reproduction of the print...

... and this information was printed on the back.

What language would He use to speak to each of these?
Their Own.
The Last Supper with Twelve Tribes, Oil on Canvas, 20 ft. x 4.5 ft, by Hyatt Moore
From left to right: Crow of Montana, Berber of North Africa, Masai of Kenya, China, Ecuador, Afghanistan, Jesus, Ethiopia, Tzeltal of Mexico, Canela of Brazil, Papua New Guinea, Salish of British Columbia, Mongolia.
Copyright, 2001. Quality prints available in various sizes. See www.hyattmoore.com

The artist explains the background of the painting at http://www.hyattmoore.com/thelastsupper/
He mentions that this is not a picture of the past "Last Supper" that da Vinci commemorated in his painting, but rather a representation of the coming *last* supper, the wedding supper of the Lamb, where all people, nations, tribes, and tongues will be together (Rev 7:9-10, 19:6-9).

So what do retired missionaries do?

What do retired missionaries do? Some of them are still busy facilitating the translation of scripture.

Just behind where Miss Doozie is parked is the Cowan building where folks live who are "older", retired from active field work.

When I was leaving the bus one evening to attend a meeting on campus, I fell into step with a lady who had come from the building behind me, and struck up conversation with her. I asked her if she lived in the Cowan building, and she said that she did for part of the year.

But... she travels to Columbia, where she was on the field as a missionary, 4 times a year, for a month at a time, to help with a language translation of the Old Testament!

The translation is in a language that she does not know, but, she knows Spanish, and another indigenous language which the speakers of the language of this new translation also speak. While the "new" language speakers can understand Spanish, they do not speak it well, but they do know the indigenous language that she also knows.

She is helping to proof the new language translation. How can she do that if she doesn't speak the language? The native speakers read the translated copy, and then she asks them questions, in Spanish or in the indigenous language that she knows. They respond in Spanish or the indigenous language that she knows. She said that she spends a lot of time praying that God will guide her to ask the right questions so the text can be verified appropriately.

She also told me that they work through the Old Testament (I think the whole Old Testament, but maybe just the prophets) chronologically rather than the normal order of the books -- because in normal order, they would have to get through some really long books in the prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah) and could become discouraged at how long it is taking to complete the task. In chronological order, they can get a mixture of long and short books and keep progress going.

Your Language Matters

There is going to be an event here on the International Linguistics Center campus on Saturday, May 11, 11am-2pm, celebrating the "International Year of Indigenous Languages".

Here's more information about the event (make sure to watch the video in the link):

We’ll celebrate the variety of indigenous languages represented all around us. Dr Robin
Harris and Ron Nelson will speak about how “My Language Matters” takes on life in the
work they do.

Speakers, music, interactives, food tasting (light lunch) from various cultures and good
fellowship will comprise the program. And if your heart language is indigenous, we invite you to be part of a new video that will be shot live that day. It is similar to the SIL video that was recently released, adding a local perspective
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp-1ruEJnyg

Do spread the word! And plan to be there!!

As I understand it, the video that they plan to produce will include people from the DFW area saying the same kinds of things as are in the recent SIL video, but each will also say, "and I live in Dallas" (or something like that).

An additional blurb from the newsletter:

Add a little festivity and color to the upcoming IYIL event by featuring your heritage or the area you may have served by wearing the apparel to represent it. Strictly optional, but a fun addition to the day.

See you there, Saturday, May 11th, at the ILC Event Center, from 11:00 am-2:00 pm for
a most interesting look at the languages we use to communicate with each other.

 For my friends in the Dallas area, "Y'all come!" (indigenous language, American Southern dialect...).

A bit of rain

We've been getting "a bit of rain" over the past couple of weeks. Walking on the SIL campus...

... I saw this evidence that we've had "a bit of rain"!

The grass had been newly mowed (the previous day) and these had popped up overnight!