The 1000th Word

Well, as stated in our first update since beginning our Gmz language learning, we had the goal of finding, recording, entering into our computer database and making flashcards of 1000 words before our first trip back to Addis (to pick up Micah’s first visitors - Andrea’s parents). So, we are happy to report that we arrived at that goal the day before our last language session. It’s was interesting because in the first two weeks we found 500 words, but in weeks 3-5 we only added 200. Realizing that this pace wouldn’t allow us to meet our goal, we kicked up the word collection and got just over 300 in this last week. So now, as we drive back to Addis we are sitting at 1021 words.

 

So what was the 1000^th word? Well, I wasn’t sure at first. You see, I purposely don’t enter data during the language sessions for two reasons. First, not entering data forces me to have recordings of every word for future use. If I forget to record a word, then it won’t get entered in our database and won’t get learned. Secondly, I don’t enter data during language sessions for a pedagogical reason. You see, during every language session I will make a handful of recordings. Then, I wait a few days before I listen to the recordings and enter the data for the first time. So this way, I am hearing the new words on the day that we discover them and then again when I enter it a few days later. It’s built-in review. Not rocket science, I know.

 

So, Friday afternoon, I was working with Wednesday’s and Thursday’s recordings as I watched the word count nearing 1000. Ok, so I was hoping for a really cool word that I could write about in a “1000^th word” blog. Maybe it would be a funny word like word #983 “naked;” word #984 “cutting teeth;” word #987 “to gag someone into throwing up;” Or maybe God would show me something, or encourage me through the 1000^th word entered in our database such as word #989 “shepherd;” or word #993 “God’s creation.” I continued listening as I was collecting words for the condition of foods in the late 990s: #997 “unripe;” #998 “ripe;” and #999 “rotten.” So there I sat, on the brink of my blog entry, as I listened intently to the recording.

 

“Achisa” I heard myself say on the recording and I smiled at the realization that the 1000^th word was about to be the verb “to smoke” (as in a cigarette). But, when I heard Habtamu say the Gmz word “dapil” I remembered that we had already discovered that word in a different context – you see the same word is used for how dust puffs up in the air when a car passes by. So, I went to that previously-entered word and added a new sense, leaving my number at 999. So once again I sat poised for the kickoff of what I was sure I would creatively twist into a fun blog.

 

“Yehe minden new?” I asked on the recording (trans. ‘What is this?’ Obviously pointing to something visible). I leaned forward with anticipation, (as if that somehow that helped me hear my headphones more clearly), only to slouch back in my chair, laughing to myself at the non-climax of the moment. It was neither funny, nor encouraging, it was the boring word for “chin” (angilisa). Though I tried, I couldn’t think of a way to make such a word sound important or profound, without crossing into absurdity. Oh well, I guess I will have to hold out for #2000, if I ever get there. You see, when we return from Addis Ababa, we will continue learning the Gmz language, but we will not be in mass word-collection mode. Instead, we will start to focus more on using the words that we do know (ie. in sentences and stories).