Hi Reader,

I want to learn a new language, to become fluent in it. I've been dabbling in it for years, speaking with such a heavy accent I'm pretty much unintelligible. Too old to learn it? Hogwash! I've learned languages before, and know how it works. First, your desire has to be greater than the pain and frustration of being totally disoriented, sounding like a toddler, and basically making a fool of yourself. Second, you have to go to the place where it's spoken and interact with real people. My high school and college German classes failed on both these counts. But to work in Bible translation in francophone Africa, we needed to know French. So in 1979, we spent a year in Neuchâtel, Switzerland.

People told me that singing in the church choir was a great way to learn the language. I like to sing so I was on board!

The first night I went, I could not have felt odder if I had been sitting there naked. But day-by-day, I learned little-by-little and that sustained effort allowed me to communicate in French-speaking Africa for 40 years. The pain to payoff ratio was very positive!

And now I'm learning this new language--Instagramese. After a couple months in intensive language learning, I'm through the worst phase of total disorientation and know enough to have fun with it.

It's a genre where relevance is measured in seconds, with a critical 3-second window to grab people's attention. It requires not only compelling texts, but also visuals and audio. And there's nothing static about it! What I master when I go to bed at night might not work in the morning.

What's my motivation? I've received this treasure I need to steward: the message of my life, what matters after all the years of education, experience, mentors, research, and reflection. How can I to communicate what I've found to as many people as possible?

I can lament the fact everyone is on their phones, or I can go to them where they are and learn their language. 3.5 billion people on Instagram.

I have a long way to go but I know enough now to have fun, connect with people, and continue learning.

And you are my special people, my inner circle. These newsletters will keep coming, top priority.

Continuing the adventure!

Harriet

PS Click on the buttons below to see what I'm doing on Instagram or Facebook. All fun!

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