Horizon scanning
So reality has set in a bit.
Now, going in, I never imagined fluency was within reach after only 10 months of school, but I had hoped for some degree of competency or proficiency. My ambitions are now rather more humble: to just get as much into my head — and out of my mouth — as I can under the circumstances.
I see better now that language is a life-time pursuit. After 15+ years in the communications biz, you'd think I'd have figured that out ahead of time.
Still, 10 months of intensive practice in, and exposure to, the language is a serious base to build upon. It would be a shame to have that go to waste, which is why thoughts about whether to extend my time here somehow have entered my mind.
'Course, I'd still have to eat and whatnot, so the question of money comes up whenever I ponder devoting more time to langauge learning. My contract with APTN, hosting and producing the broadcast of excerpts from the Ipperwash Inquiry, likely draws to an end in March.
(By the way, second language learning really isn't helped when you have to take time away from it, working in your first language; I'm not complaining, just stating a fact. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it surprises me that there is not one dedicated scholarship out there that focuses on indigenous language acquisition/study. What does that say about people's priorities?)
Somehow, Nehiyawewin has taken over my life. But, if I've become hostage to it, I feel no need to escape.
ekosi,
Rick
Now, going in, I never imagined fluency was within reach after only 10 months of school, but I had hoped for some degree of competency or proficiency. My ambitions are now rather more humble: to just get as much into my head — and out of my mouth — as I can under the circumstances.
I see better now that language is a life-time pursuit. After 15+ years in the communications biz, you'd think I'd have figured that out ahead of time.
Still, 10 months of intensive practice in, and exposure to, the language is a serious base to build upon. It would be a shame to have that go to waste, which is why thoughts about whether to extend my time here somehow have entered my mind.
'Course, I'd still have to eat and whatnot, so the question of money comes up whenever I ponder devoting more time to langauge learning. My contract with APTN, hosting and producing the broadcast of excerpts from the Ipperwash Inquiry, likely draws to an end in March.
(By the way, second language learning really isn't helped when you have to take time away from it, working in your first language; I'm not complaining, just stating a fact. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it surprises me that there is not one dedicated scholarship out there that focuses on indigenous language acquisition/study. What does that say about people's priorities?)
Somehow, Nehiyawewin has taken over my life. But, if I've become hostage to it, I feel no need to escape.
ekosi,
Rick
posted by Rick Harp at 4:57 PM
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