Language
Week 43
All children can learn words in another language and use them
Language is a non-instinctive system of spoken, manual (signed), or written symbols by which human beings express ideas, emotions, and desires. Language is a huge part of the preciousness of our humanity. Animal communication is the transfer of information by sounds, scents and motions from the sender to the receiver that affects current behavior. It can impact future behavior, too. It is generally instinctive.
Point to emphasize
We all can easily learn some phrases in different languages and use them correctly.
Sample content and conversation with children
- Today we are going to see how we are able to learn a phrase in French and Chinese and we will be able to use this phrase to ask for water when we are thirsty.
- Now, watch this and listen carefully. [Show video clip until from 0:00-1:53.] First, let’s say this “I would like some water, please.” Let’s listen to the French [play clip from 1:09-1:17]. Repeat each word after me [Serving one says the first word. Children repeat. Pronunciation for serving ones: Zhuh voo-dreh duh loh seel voo pleh. Then serving one puts two words together and children repeat. After, put 3 words together and children repeat. Do this until you have the complete phrase]. That was really good! We can now ask for some water in French.
- Let’s learn some Chinese. [Chinese begins at 1:18-1:36. Repeat steps from above. Pronunciation for serving ones: Ching kei woh yee pei shwei]
- Look at that! God made us in such a way that we can learn new phrases in another language. I’m sure that if we practiced some more we could ask for water in French and Chinese all day.
- This is a monkey [show picture #1] that lives in the same area as a gazelle. [Show picture #2]. The monkey gives a distinct alarm call when an enemy is close by. But the gazelle jumps straight up when an enemy is near. The gazelle has never tried to learn the monkey’s alarm call because God did not create it with such an ability. The gazelle would never ever think to try to learn the monkey’s call. They are not able to communicate more than one way. All the gazelle can do is to jump straight up as an alarm.
- It is really wonderful that God created us in such a way that we can learn different languages and use them! No animal can do this!! Now, let’s sing a song! It is about a cat. What sound does a cat make? (Meow, meow) If this cat is raised in a family that speaks Chinese, would it sound different? NO! It would still say MEOW! That is all a cat can do, Now, let’s sing this song.
- If there is time you can play the end of the video clip to hear the people counting 1-5 in different languages.
Songs
If you raised a cat in Japan
I want to thank God for making me…
Suggested Activities
Practice saying numbers 1-5 in the different languages presented on the video, starting with minute 1:54.
Video
#1: Phrases in Different Languages
(https://www.youtube.com/embed/HAuSQb7Pmh0?rel=0)
Picture
#1: Monkey and Gazelle
