Mother Language Day, The Linguists, and 516 nearly extinct languages

Ever wondered how to say ‘hi’ in Amharic, “it’s cold outside” in Armenian, or “I shave my armpits and I smell good” in French?
If so watch http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=6eYk_SKhP9A and you’ll also learn the sad truth behind why Feb 21st was picked as the International Mother Language day by UNESCO.

Meanwhile I also recently learned about a new film called “The Linguists” which brought endangered languages into focus at the Sundance Film festival. (see http://www.thelinguists.com ).

I also read a little more on the subject of 516 ‘nearly extinct languages” at http://www.ethnologue.com/nearly_extinct.asp 

I posted these items to http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8691916229 (Facebook group for Language and the Potato) which may be in danger of extinction itself, but possibly won’t be missed.

Scarred and Scarlet

We’re not having a good year healthwise. Jennifer is still recovering from carpel tunnel surgery. It was not a pleasant experience, but is one that she may need to repeat on the other wrist. She’s now come down with the same throat infection which resulted in Peter’s current bout of scarlet fever. A large number of curious spots on Peter’s arms on Saturday morning quickly spread to cover 80-90% of his body. (we’re just showing an arm here).

For anyone wanting a more uplifting blog post take a look at The Chicken and the Uncle on the Wycliffe UK blog.

 

 

New blog for Wycliffe UK

A special hello to anyone who found our site via the new Wycliffe UK blog.
For everyone else, check out the new blog at http://wycliffe.org.uk/blog/.

Wishing you a meaningful Easter

The message wishes you a meaningful Easter.

Easter’s a strange mix of things.

We hope yours includes a good dose of happiness, joy, and appropriate amounts of chocolate for those who like.
We also hope the holiday also allows time for reflection and is filled with a real sense of hope.

And the Word Came with Power

For at least the third time I’m reading “And The Word Came with Power” which has to be one of the best books I’ve read about Bible translation and some of the people involved. I’d be tempted to put a few excerpts online but recently rediscovered three ten minute radio interviews with author at http://www.jaars.org/speeding-the-word.shtml (lots more good stuff there too!), so will let her tell parts of the story herself…

Jo Shetler Wycliffe translator Jo Shetler talks about her call to leave California and help provide God’s Word for the Balangao people in the Northern Philippines. Listen Broadcast date: June 11, 2006 Jo Shetler talks about her Bible translation experiences among the Balangao and how God’s Spirit began to move among the Balangao when her church back in California began to really pray for the Balangao. Listen Broadcast date: June 18, 2006 Jo Shetler shares how the Balangao people reach out to others that don’t know Christ after they received the Scriptures in their heart language. Listen Broadcast date: June 25, 2006

Solomon Islands - Year of the Bible

Well we’re still in Alberta trying to sell our house. The aim is to move to Ontario but they have lots of snow too.
A friend of mine just got back from leading a spiritual retreat for Bible translation teams in the Solomon Islands where the Prime Minister, Dr Derek Sikua, has just endorsed 2008 as the Year of the Bible. You can read more at http://solomonstarnews.com/?q=node/16999 , or meet a Wycliffe family serving as literacy advisors at http://matzkemission.com . I have to say their family photo makes it look an attractive place to live.