How do we communicate with people? There are, of course, many ways – studies have even shown that 80% of communication is nonverbal – but one of the most visible and important is language. That’s why I will be going to Bohong shortly to learn Sango. Bohong is a small town about 35 km. north of Bouar which is 2 hours east of Baboua (my town). The title of this entry is in Sango – “Hello to you all. How are you?” So why do I need to learn Sango when I already speak French??
French is the colonial language. That means that a lot of government business,
secondary schools, and other businesses use French. It is an official language in the Central African
Republic. People, however, don’t learn French until they go to school. Most primary schools begin instruction in
Sango and students then learn French.
Too many children, though, never get the change to go to school, so they
don’t learn French. The literacy rate is
between 50 and 60% (depending on which reference you check). That means almost ½ the population cannot
read and write in any language and are unlikely to know French. This number includes a disproportionate
number of girls and women.
Also, Sango is the national African language in CAR. It is rare in Africa that there is one
African language in a country that most everyone speaks and can be an official
language. Why? Well, there are about 55 countries in Africa,
but each has many ethnic groups that speak their own language. Wikipedia says that there are over 2100 and
by some counts over 3000 languages spoken in Africa! When the colonizing countries (like France
here) divided the area into countries, they intentionally drew the lines so
that ethnic groups were split. (Divide
and continue to control??) A major
result is that most countries do not have one African language and do not want
to choose one because it would give too much power and prestige to that ethnic
group. So, CAR has one language – what a
resource! I have been told that since
Sango was the language of commerce even before the French came, everyone
learned to speak it.
Now imagine this:
children are born and begin to learn their maternal language (the one
for their ethnic group). Not too long
after that, they learn Sango. All of
these languages are oral, by the way. They have now been written down as
missionaries worked to translate the Bible into their languages. If there are other ethnic groups in the area,
children also learn those. Then, if they
have the chance, children go to school and learn French. If they continue beyond elementary school,
they study English or some other European language! (And, we from the USA are resistant to learning
any language other than English! We all
have the capacity; too bad we don’t all take advantage…)
I am learning Sango, therefore, to be able to talk to people
in their own language – to better understand their world view. In working with the directors of the
education programs of the church and even in working with teachers, I will
speak French, for the most part. But,
when working with parents and leaders in villages, Sango will be
essential. Also, when I have the
opportunity to be in elementary classrooms, the primary language will be
Sango.
I am going to another town to have more contact with Central
Africans. My next-door neighbors in
Baboua are from the US (great temptation to speak English!) and the offices for
the programs with which I will be working (temptation to speak French). I hope, too, by being immersed in the culture
for a month, I will be able to learn other cultural aspects, especially nonverbal
communication. I will keep my ears open,
but also my eyes and all my other senses.
A little about Bohong: ELLRCA (Église Évangélique Luthérienne-République Centrafricaine) has a medical clinic in the village. Many women come for pre- and post-natal care
and for the birth of their children.
They also have rooms for in-and out-patient care. It is highly prized. In the early 2003s when there was a problem with
rebels/bandits in the area, twice villagers took the medical equipment and
supplies and hid them (in their houses and elsewhere) so that they were not
stolen!
Also on the station is a school for girls, a guest house,
and the office of a program designed to help villages address environmental
issues, including food security (having enough to eat for the entire
year). It is set in a gorgeous area
which is very green now in the rainy season.
I will be staying in the guest house. Here are a few pictures of that house and
what is around in. Wouldn’t you like to
come and join me?!?
Living Room of the Guest House |
Guest House with Porch |
Another Part of the Bohong Station |
View from the Guest House |
I am now driving – on a limited basis, but on the road
literally! I drove around Bouar a little
– roads not paved and
so-so. Then I
drove part of the way between Bouar and Baboua – 95% paved road. I got up into 5th gear even- 50 –
55 mph. That is the speed limit and,
although others drive faster, I am content to go more slowly just now. I am not yet ready to drive from Bouar to
Bohong since the road is generally bad.
When we went a few days ago, the driver was able to get into 3rd
gear for stretches ~25 mph, but also spent a lot of time in 1st and
2nd gear, sometimes going about 2 kmh… I could do the driving by going slowly, but
don’t yet want to be on my own in case there would be a problem.
Hello Susan!
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I'm glad to hear that things are going well. I'm enjoying your blog and wonder if it's OK to copy some of your posts to use in newsletters, etc.?
I'll see what I can do about the PLUM T-shirt.
Grace and peace,
Beth
The place looks beautiful and worth staying. Enjoy your stay there and I would recommend to drive carefully and slowly so that there is less chance of being on your own. Stay safe and enjoy!
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