I am considering doing something a little bit different. I am thinking about “living out.” What’s that? Well, I’ll explain it in this column.
As anybody who reads this column regularly knows, I have been studying Bisaya (the local langauge where I live) for some time now. I started studying in August 2007. I am getting pretty good now at using the language, and I enjoy it. Being able to communicate in Bisaya has made my recent trips around Mindanao much more enjoyable and interesting.
So, what exactly is “living out” and what does it have to do with language studies? Living out means that you go somewhere out in the Province – up in the mountains, away from the City, or whatever – and you live there for a while. The minimum that you need to stay “out” is one week. You can stay longer, but if you stay for less than a week, it really doesn’t offer much benefit. You don’t want to live in the City, because people in the Cities hear too much English, and they can get by on English. You want to be around people who can’t speak English at all, if possible, so that you must use your language skills to communicate with them.
Living out is something that is encouraged by my Bisaya teacher. She mostly teaches Missionaries, not just lay people like me. The Missionaries that she teaches are required to live out as part of their training, although I am not required to do so.
In addition to language use, you culturally try to live in the Filipino way. You eat the foods that they eat. You live your life just as they live theirs. I believe it is something that would be difficult, but also very rewarding.
Living out offers you a few benefits. Firstly, it is meant to help you gain a better grip on the language, since you are dealing with native speakers of the language, and you are not allowed to speak in English. The area where you would go is so remote that there probably isn’t much English spoken or understood there anyway. The second big benefit of living out is the cultural understanding that you could gain. Because you are totally immersed in the culture, and you are going to live your life in an identical way to what they do, you can’t help but learn a lot about their way of living.
This is something that I have had an interest in for some time. I didn’t relate it to my language learning, but a while back, Bebe (my teacher) brought this up to me, and said that it was at this time in my learning that I would do this if I were a Missionary. I have told her that I think I’ll do it anyway, just for the things that I’d learn in the process.
I think that going on such a “retreat” would also make for some very interesting things to write about on my various websites. Can you imagine some of the stories that could be told about the process?
Where would I go on this retreat? Well, that is kind of up to me to choose. I am thinking that I would like to go live with somebody up in the mountains of Bukidnon. Why there? Because it is quite cool up there, and I know that I won’t be allowed to have any air conditioning, and probably not even an electric fan, so Bukidnon would be comfortable for me. Also, it is a place that I love a lot. Another thing that I have been thinking about is that I would like to live with a Muslim family for a week, because I believe that the cultural experience and the learning would be fantastic. There aren’t many Muslims in Bukidnon, though, so that might rule out going there. It’s hard to decide where to go.
Of course, the process right now is that I need to make a final decision on whether I want to go there and do the “live out” thing. I am already about 80% sure that I want to do it, though, so I am well along the way to making that decision. Next decision is to decide where I want to go for the week. Third decision is to do some searching and find a family that would be willing to take me in for a week, make sure that it is a safe place, and a family that can be trusted, etc.
This is something that I want to do, though… and I’m kind of excited about it.
Hi john grant – I think that it would be a great idea. I wrote this piece a few days ago, and yesterday when my Bisaya teacher was here, we talked about this more, and she gave me some wonderful ideas once more. I believe that something like this would be one heck of an experience, and would benefit me in many different ways.
Hi AussieLee – I would not say that I don’t like rice, I’d say that I prefer other things… I actually like it ok, I just choose other things most of the time. It’s a little bland, after all. Don’t worry on the appropriate Bisaya swear words! After all, when you learn a foreign language, you always tend to learn the swear words first! I’ve known those for almost 20 years now!!! 😆
Hi jerry smith – It will be my pleasure! I’ll be looking forward to it!
BOB
Sounds an amazing idea, the thing is now that you can speak the language its not such a daunting project, however I am not so sure I could do that, but what a learning experience.
Morning Bob,
It seems to be the way to learn nowadays. I believe a lot of classes held now around the world are taken only in the language being studied – which Iwould find impossible as I don't think I have much ability with language beyond my own. Two things occurred to me though, Bob, in relation to your trip, first, you will come back a shadow of your former self since you don't like rice and, second, if your stub your toe, are you up with all the appropriate Bisaya swear words? Have a good trip and enjoy the mosquitoes!
Hi Bob – I think it's a great idea, even without the language benefits. What better way to get to know the people. area and customs. And as you said, you would undoubtedly have many great stories to share with us.
Hi Randy C – Thanks for your comment. Yeah, there are lots of potential upsides to such a trip, and only a few downsides. For me the only real downside that I can see is that it could be a bit uncomfortable living that way for a full week, but hey…. no pain, no gain! I am quite excited about it.
In talking with my teacher yesterday, she is now advising me to wait until around July to do it, because there are some important lessons coming up in my Bisaya which would be good to know before such a trip.
Bob,
That sounds like a great idea. Total immersion in a culture will surely improve your language skills. I'm just curious, are you going to take the family with you, or is this something you plan to do alone?
Hi Joe Parisi – No, I would not take the family on such an outing. The reason is that if you do something like this with your family, it is too easy to speak English, since that is the language that we speak as a family. The whole idea is to get away from English for a week, and exclusively use Bisaya. So, this would be something that I would do alone. I have told Feyma, though, that what I would really like to happen is that I would find the family that I live with to be very friendly, and that I would grow a deep friendship with them, and then subsequently introduce the two families, visit them regularly, give them some assistance to improve their lives, etc.
Bob,
Sorry if my last question sounded inappropriate. I was just thinking if I ever did something like that I would like to take my family, but I was wondering if the distraction might stop me from getting deeply involved in the culture.
Hi Joe Parisi – No problem on your comment! I was happy to answer it for you. It wasn't inappropriate at all, so don't be worried about that. I do agree with you that being away from my family for a week is something that is a bit of a downside, but I think that it is important for me to benefit most from the experience too. One thing that I have also told Feyma is that after this first experience of doing such a trip, I could foresee doing it as a family, or even letting the kids go there alone for a stay during school vacation. There are so many possibilities!
Bob
After reading your blogs I could see you taking 2 stays up in the mountains. The first week in Bukidnon and the second week some months later with a Muslim family. One of my favorite parts of my trips to the Philippines was going up to see my wife’s family in the mountains of Cebu. Yes there are some comforts you will be without but the adventure out weighs the loss of comforts. I am a lot like you that I can live off on rice for a week but after that I would be craving a nice steak. Good luck on your adventure and I will be looking forward to reading about your stay in the mountains.
Maayo’ng palad
Hi Larry – Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment! Hey… I just thought of another advantage of doing this somewhere in Bukidnon… after the week is over, I could possibly stop and Del Monte for a steak on the way home! Ha ha…
Yes, I was also thinking of doing it twice – the second time with a Muslim family. I really feel that living with a Muslim family for a week would lead to some real cultural insight and understanding.
Maayong adlaw!
Hi Bob im really interested in learning Bisaya properly! is your teacher very busy? and what are her rates? Ive had a girlfriend before or friends here who have said they will teach me but it never materialises or they start to laugh hesterically when i get the pronounciation wrong . 😕 but i think i need to do it properly and structured. If its possible can email me. Many Thanks
Hi graham – I will e-mail you privately with contact information for my teacher. Her name is Bebe, and she is a professional at this – you won't get any laughing and such, she will just do all she can to assist you with your pronounciation and such. She is really excellent, and I really like her on a personal level a lot too. She is very sincere. Her rates are, IMHO, very cheap. She will get together with you once per week for an hour or more for P250. You will have text books (which she wrote herself), and all the learning materials you need!
I agree that learning from a friend, wife, girlfriend or whatever usually does not work out well. You need a professional teacher who really knows how to teach a language, and Bebe is that person.
hello bob
i stayed with my fiancee in the house i rent.her family who speak english only when talking to me but when u dont understand the language it sometimes makes me loko.actually i watched alot of videos when i was in panabo just to hear english.especially when we would eat dinner i fekt a little left out.not knowing what was being said.mabe that was one of my biggest drawbacks of my trips to philippines.your idea sounds great.kind of a getaway as well.
thanks bob
Hi Ron Wadsworth – Yeah, I had lots of times like that in the past when I felt alone or left out because I could not understand the language being spoken around me. That is what pushed me to finally start studying the language and being able to use it. I can now understand at least 80% of what is being said by people around me, and figuring out the other 20% is not that hard either! 😆
Bob,
When I was in CDO I met an American that divided his time between the U.S. and the Philippines.
He was fluent or very nearly fluent in Cebuano. I don't recall where he learned the language, but he also went "up in the hills" and stayed in a village where nobody spoke English. I don't recall how long he said he was there.
But he said he got a lot from the experience being immersed in it 24 X 7.
Danny Thompson
Hello Sir Bob! That sounds great 😉 Goodluck!
Hi Danny Thompson – I do believe that living immersed in the language is a great way to learn. The good thing for me is that I am already pretty functional in the language, so being immersed will only increase my abilities. I am currently better at understanding what I hear or read than at speaking it myself (although I do pretty good there too), so I am hoping that I can balance out my abilities soon.
Hi Cidy – Nice to hear from you. It's been a while? When will you come and see us in Davao? Thanks for stopping by! 😉
great idea bob. i wish i were in your place. you are very lucky in my eyes. grabe by.
Hi jerry smith – Thanks for your kind words! I can't really claim credit for the idea, since my Bisaya teacher has been doing this with other students. Although I had already thought of it before she mentioned it too! 😉 OK, OK, I'll take full credit! 😯
No need to wish you were here, by the way – there are planes that come every day! 😉 See you soon?
Sounds like fun, Bob. I feel like i am all ready there where we built our house most people speak very little english and those that do only speck a couple of words so i hear Bisaya all the time but like u said .A person needs a good language teacher.. Hey maybe u could go to Father Franco and camp out ..U have fun Phil R.
Hi Phil R. – I would not consider living near Father Franco, because if I did, it's too easy to hang out with him and speak English all the time. What I am talking about is NO ENGLISH at all for a week. I plan to bring a notepad and pens to write up stories to put on my various blogs, and my teacher told me that I even have to write in Bisaya, then translate it back to English when I get home! This is really total immersion! I am aiming for a July date for this.
thanks bob. my wife there now for a coupple of weeks and my plans are to be there around next march on my 50 th birth day. i would be proud to meet you then. take care
Hi Bob.
First it sounds like a very good and learning idea, to live with a local family, but why do you choose a muslim family, and not a christian. Choosing a christian family, you can still have your coffee. (ha-ha).
Looking forward to hear of your experienses.
Hi Preben C – Thanks for your comment. Actually, I have not chosen any family yet. I only said that I have a desire to experience the life of a Muslim family. Why? Well, I am a Christian, and have been a Christian all of my life, so living in a Muslim household would be a new experience for me. I have a curiosity about Islam, not as a potential convert to Islam, but simply because I am interested to learn more about their beliefs and also to foster peace between the religions.
Also, living up in the mountains, it is doubtful that you would experience having what you and I call coffee. Most poor families out in the province make coffee out of corn! It's true, believe it or not!
Bob, I have alot of admiration for the dedication you are putting into this and I do think that 'living out' will have many benefits way beyond the obvious language 'fine tuning'.
You're really lucky to have a good teacher. One of the things I thought I would have been doing by now is studying language .. I guess I need to seek out some missionaries near me and find out where they got their language training, because I've asked dozens of relatives and acquaintances if they want a job teaching me and even the ones that say they are interested in earning a little money never agree to get started
As a contrast, P250 an hour is pretty good wages compared with say what a skilled tradesman gets here just outside Metro Manila. I can hire a guy to lay block, plaster, paint or weld all day long for P600, so P250 for an hour's work isn't bad, even if you do have to put up with a hard-headed old kano like me.
Hi Dave Starr – Thanks for your kind words. I do think that the idea of "living out" offers a lot of potential benefits, and it is something that I am excited about and looking forward to.
Regarding the learning of language, I think it is really best to find a teacher who is really a professional. If you just find somebody who knows how to speak Tagalog or whatever, that does not make them a good teacher. They will most likely try to make you memorize a bunch of phrases and such, which is not the way to learn a language. You must learn the grammar, and then learn the vocabulary. Once you know how the grammar works, they you can make any sentences with the words that you learn! I know that I could never have learned what I know now in Bisaya through Feyma or any other family member. It's just not the way to go, in my opinion.
Hi Bob, that sounds like a great idea! I think living with a Muslim family might be a good idea for later, since they may not speak Bisaya in the home at all anyway. Even though you are looking for a cooler environment, staying with some of Feyma's family, perhaps even where you visited recently, might give yo the best overall experience. They already know you and would welcome you as family. You could bring rice and chickens with you and some other produce and not worry about paying for a place to stay in cash. Thye would also all understand your situation and be helpful. Just a thought! I am trying to think if I have any connections that might help you find a good situation for doing this! I don't have in Bukidnon…
Sounds brave bob….from the food perspective I mean. I do remember Feyma telling us that you were not too keen on Filipino food? 🙂
Hi AmericanLola – Feyma and I talked about the possibility of me living with some of her family members in Patag for a while, but decided against it. We feel that they will be too flexible in wanting to accommodate me, serve me, etc. Also, we feel that they will do their best to speak English to me as much as possible 😆 exactly what I don't want! Ha ha…
Hi Jim Hannah – I like a lot of Filipino foods, and don't like others! I would say that I am somewhere on the fence when it comes to liking Filipino food. 😀
Hi Bob,
I can see you putting out a series of tapes on many Filipino dialects similar to Verbal Advantage on foreign languages.
On another note… I had a Muslim lady roommate when I was in college there – very nice individual (I think) but very aloof and quite calculating. She did speak some Bisaya but would never opened up for friendship even with my “clownish” attempts.
Hi MarcelinaWW – Thanks for your words of advice. Oh boy… I don't know if I could do language tapes like that! 😆 It could turn out to be more of a comedy series of my making funny pronunciations!
Indeed Bob, this is a good subject for more3 discussion. As you say, you can't really learn it just from hearing things. That's why most tape teaching programs are not worth the time … you can memorize things to say, but not know when or why to say them. I'm not sure about 'traps' in Bisayan … I'm sure there are some … but in Tagalog usage there are certainly plenty. Example: I learned the word for milk, 'leche'. Actually, I already knew it because like many words in common useage it's Spanish, not any Filipino dialect. So to 'cement' my new knowledge I was having baby talk conversations with my two little nephews who are still on th ebottle and delight in asking for their ''milky' in English. "Make momma proud", I was telling them,"call it by the real name, leche."
Great fun. Until Mita's mom took me aside and asked, "Don't you know that the way you are using leche is a very nasty curse? Don't use it that way around Filipino men, you might well get into a fight in an instant."
Hmm, something innocent as baby's milk just isn't always what it sounds like.
Hi Dave Starr – Wow! I had no idea about the word "leche" being nasty in any way! In Bisaya, milk is Gatas, but I don't know of any such connection to it being bad or nasty at all. Very interesting! 😆
Really? Surely you know leche? It's on most tetra packs of milk and certainly in restaraunts as "lache flan" a quite popular … and delicious) dessert. I'll have to ask about a separate Tagalog/Pilipino word for milk … i assume there is one, but I can't recall it/never use it. I'll tell you in private why 'leche' is so insulting, at least here-abouts, but it's not suitable for a family site. Feyma might explain it for you, but there are number of words/phrases decent women might not talk about, even with their spouse.
But that's the real point I think … from sound alone, without the rules (including the unwritten rules) you can't learn by sound alone … it does take a teacher and work on both the teacher and the student's part.
Hi Dave Starr- Yeah, I know the word leche but it is not widely used here. Sure, something like Leche Flan is well known, but as for like a pack of milk… no. I have never seen the name "Leche" on a milk carton here. All the milk I see down here is imported from New Zealand, and thus packaged strictly in English.
I did talk to Feyma about Leche, and she said that the Tagalog term for milk is the same as bisaya – gatas (at least the true tagalog word, not saying that leche is not widely used).
Hi Bob- I was thinking never mind the hardship, you could spend a week at Bethany helping out with the kids and never speak a word of english and when it starts to drive you nuts you could come round to our place for a coffee. How does that sound?
Hi Jim Cunningham – Ha ha… that might work too! 😆
Leche- if you spit it out with emphasis is like when you snap at a person
like saying " damn" or" bitch". Probably derived from the Spanish-
Me cago en la leche.
Hi rseneris – Yep, this is exactly what Feyma said too.