Today we finished our “marathon”—a 10-day word-collection blitz that
resulted in some 13,500 pieces of data from the Djimini language. About 80% of
the words and expressions collected have been entered into the database
already, and the team of typists has agreed to consecrate tomorrow morning to
whittling down the remainder as much as possible.
We are all extremely tired after having thrown ourselves wholeheartedly
into this workshop, but we are happy about what has been accomplished. It’s not
something we’re ready to sign on for again right away, considering the amount
of energy it required of us, but we’re all glad to have been a part of this
landmark event in Djimini history.
My way of saying thanks to this group for their dedication to the
task—manifested particularly by their repeated disregard for the established
break times, preferring to persevere in the search for words rather than loiter
about for 30 minutes over coffee—was to pay for a can of soda for each person involved in the workshop. That included not only those involved in the
word-collection process, but also those who kept the participants going by
preparing meals for them. This responsibility was shared around among a large
number of women so that it would not be a huge burden to any one of them. So
lots of drinks were needed to ensure that everyone got one. It was a pleasure
for me to be able to express my gratitude in this way. I’m very glad that God
opened the door for me to come here and lead this workshop, so that I could
have the privilege of working with and helping this great group of people.
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| Celebration time |
I am scheduled to stay here in Dabakala until next Friday morning.
Beginning on Monday, we’ll set about organizing and correcting the data that
have been collected. And next Thursday afternoon, we’ll have a special “closing
ceremony” to celebrate all that we’ve been able to accomplish. By that time we
should have an accurate count of the valid pieces of data that were collected,
and I hope we’ll be able to print out a copy of everything in the database for
people to look at.
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