Sometimes when you attempt to communicate clearly simply knowing the language isn't enough. I've sat through many talks from Westerners that have come for short term trips using many analogies that don't compute here. For instance, American Football is hardly ever a good analogy in Asia. If your translator doesn't understand you, you can bet that your audience won't understand either. They most likely will nod and smile, and laugh when you laugh. But it's probably just because they don't want you to feel embarrassed.
When you can speak the language, then it will become clear that no one understands you. The frown and the wrinkled brow make it quite clear. So, when we are teaching abstract concepts we have learned that you need a good story that is relatable.
When teaching about the need to keep trying, we use the analogy of learning how to ride a motorbike. When we teach about the concept of having a clear goal and working towards it, we use the picture of a farmer. In our culture they are usually the poorest people. If the poorest people have a goal, know the steps and work towards it, then why can't we?
Last week I was talking about Phil 2 and how Christ let go of his rights and authority when he came to earth. We thought together about how we might need to let go of our rights to show others Christ's love. I told them, It's like my friend when he ate dog at his house... My audience laughed because they love to eat dog. Did he have the right to eat dog? Yes! Of course he did! But do you know what happened? His Mslm neighbors smelled it and it really bothered them. Oh yes, everyone said. They are really bothered by that smell. Why are they bothered by it. Because it is unclean. Yes, it's unclean. So, now my friend, who wants to be loving and kind to his neighbors, has built a huge wall. His neighbors don't want to come to his house - they won't even step foot near his lawn. Isn't that terrible? He told me the other day that he will never do that again. Why? Because he doesn't like the taste of dog? No. Because he wants to be a blessing to his neighbors. He wants to let go of his rights so that others can experience love. What right do you need to let go of like Christ did to show you love?
Never had this teaching hit home like it did last week. The relevant story (that I would never use in the West!) made an abstract concept very real to them. Language alone didn't communicate.
When you can speak the language, then it will become clear that no one understands you. The frown and the wrinkled brow make it quite clear. So, when we are teaching abstract concepts we have learned that you need a good story that is relatable.
When teaching about the need to keep trying, we use the analogy of learning how to ride a motorbike. When we teach about the concept of having a clear goal and working towards it, we use the picture of a farmer. In our culture they are usually the poorest people. If the poorest people have a goal, know the steps and work towards it, then why can't we?
Last week I was talking about Phil 2 and how Christ let go of his rights and authority when he came to earth. We thought together about how we might need to let go of our rights to show others Christ's love. I told them, It's like my friend when he ate dog at his house... My audience laughed because they love to eat dog. Did he have the right to eat dog? Yes! Of course he did! But do you know what happened? His Mslm neighbors smelled it and it really bothered them. Oh yes, everyone said. They are really bothered by that smell. Why are they bothered by it. Because it is unclean. Yes, it's unclean. So, now my friend, who wants to be loving and kind to his neighbors, has built a huge wall. His neighbors don't want to come to his house - they won't even step foot near his lawn. Isn't that terrible? He told me the other day that he will never do that again. Why? Because he doesn't like the taste of dog? No. Because he wants to be a blessing to his neighbors. He wants to let go of his rights so that others can experience love. What right do you need to let go of like Christ did to show you love?
Never had this teaching hit home like it did last week. The relevant story (that I would never use in the West!) made an abstract concept very real to them. Language alone didn't communicate.
Comments