e., not: words LCDD 14 Paya Kuna. LCDD 14 Paya Kuna

Appenxix N 309

B. Steps in Learning

136 In order to really learn something in Kuna, you have to go through five steps in the learning process.

1. Awareness

First, you need to be made aware of the existence of a particular sound, word, grammatical construction or intonation pattern and its meaning. Yon have to learn to ―hear‖ recognize it in a particular context. For example, you find out become aware that toa means ―who‖ and start to ―hear‖ recognize it when it is used in an amplificatory question see Section 4.4.3.1. Example ¿Toa nade? ‗Who went?‘ 2. Reproduction Then, you have to learn to reproduce say automatically the same particular sound, word, grammatical construction, or intonation pattern in that particular context. For example, you practice using toa ‗who‘ in amplificatory questions until you can do so without even thinking about it.

3. Variation

Next, you learn to modify vary what you have just learned in section 2 above, in the same context. For example, you discover that by adding -ga to toa ‗who‘ modifying it, you get toaga ‗to, for whom‘. Also, you discover that by adding -bak to toa ‗who‘ another modification, you get toabak ‗with whom‘ which you can now use in the same context amplificatory questions. Examples 1. ¿Toa ob chus? ‗Who fetched the corn?‘ 2. ¿Toaga ob chus? ‗For whom did he fetch the corn?‘ 3. ¿Toabak ob chus? ‗With whom did he fetch the corn?‘ 4. Limited Control Then you learn to control what you have learned in other limited contexts. For example, you move from controlling toa ‗who‘ only in amplificatory questions, to controlling toa ‗who‘ in topic questions and confirmation questions though all in the limited context of questions. Examples 1. ¿Toa koe makcha? ‗Who killed the deer?‘ 2. ¿Koede, toa tar makcha? ‗Who killed the deer?‘ 3. ¿Toa makcha? ‗Who did you say killed the deer?‘ 5. Complete control Finally, you learn to control what you are learning in any context and use it automatically whenever you need it to communicate what you want to say. For example, you learn to use toa elsewhere in the language. Example Meke toa tule tani. ‗Let anybody come.‘

C. What You Have To Do To Succeed

Robert Gunn personal communication suggests there are three essential requirements for success: 1 speak the language, 2 keep others talking, and 3 plan your contacts.

1. Speak the language

Speak Kuna, only Kuna, all the time in the presence of Kunas. 136 Larson, Donald N. and Smalley, William A. 1972. Becoming Bilingual, A Guide To Language Learning. New Canaan, Connecticut. Practical Anthropology, pp. 147 –150. 310 Language Learning

a. Reason

This forces you to do several things: 1. Use what you know of the language. 2. Expand the areas of language that you need most. 3. Decrease the use of the national language, which helps you to start ―thinking‖ in Kuna. 4. Usage helps the words and patterns you employ to become more automatic.

b. Problem Speaking only Kuna will increase cultural stress.

137 It is important to note that cultural stress is different from culture shock inasmuch as it affects everybody who lives in a culture other than their own. The frustration of trying to communicate in a language you do not control increases your stress load. This is especially true in the early days but will decrease as your ability to speak Kuna increases. In addition, moving around in a minefield of unknown cultural booby traps in the form of gestures, attitudes and nuances of spoken clues, is also very stressful. You should be aware of how to recognize and deal with this problem. There is much written on this subject which would be of help. In light of this problem. the rule of ―speak Kuna and only Kuna‖ should be modified. For instance, depending upon your intended length of stay, stress tolerance, etc., ―only Kuna‖ might have to be modified to ―only Kuna for X number of hours per day.‖ Preferably you should state when this should be, e.g., 12:00 noon - 8:00 p.m. the busy visiting time. It will take discipline even to do this, but the effort will be worth it. Cultural relaxation, such as light reading or music is good after the end of the designated period for speaking. c. Setting the limit on speaking only Kuna There are three ways in which you can limit modify the rule of ―speak only Kuna, always.‖ Again, you need to remember that you are looking for the minimum number of exceptions to this rule that will allow you to work and live within your limitations of your stress load, etc.. 1 Time You should set what portion of the day you will relax the rule of speaking Kuna only, e.g., after 8:00 p.m. By this time most visitors are gone. If there are still some around, you don ‘t have to force yourself to keep speaking Kuna if you get ―stuck.‖ Relaxing the rule does not mean that you revert to Spanish completely, but means that you allow yourself to indulge in using a Spanish sentence here or there, or to express a point you aren ‘t yet able to do in Kuna. 2 Geographic location You may decide to make exceptions on the basis of physical location. For example, you may decide that if you visit a Kuna, you will only speak Kuna. If he visits you, there may be times when you will allow him to address you in Spanish. 3 Situation You need to list the situations under which you will allow yourself to relax the rule of speaking only Kuna. For example, a reasonable exception would be during an emergency —medical or otherwise. You need to decide what your rules are going to be in the presence of a Kuna, plus a person who doesn ‘t understand only Kuna. 137 For further discussion of this problem read Stress producing factors in cultural adjustment by Wayne T. Dye 1974 Missiology 2 1:61 –77. Appenxix N 311

d. The necessity of setting a limit to the exceptions

You are human, and unless you set a limit to your ―exceptions,‖ you will find that you start to use the language less and less. It is hard to speak Kuna all the time and experience the frustration of not being able to communicate properly, but this ―forcing‖ of yourself to speak it will make you use what you know and ―dig‖ for what you don ‘t know. Therefore, adhere rigidly to your limits

2. Keep others talking

In learning Kuna, an important part of the process is ―listen, listen, listen.‖

a. Reason