Is Grammar Important in Learning Cebuano/Binisaya or any Language for that Matter?

Learning a new language requires focus, concentration and most specially, P-R-A-C-T-I-C-E.  Acquiring knowledge on grammar alone is n...

Learning a new language requires focus, concentration and most specially, P-R-A-C-T-I-C-E.  Acquiring knowledge on grammar alone is not sufficient because you cannot apply this knowledge if you lack vocabulary, and enriching your vocabulary bank will be worthless if you do not apply these newly-acquired vocabulary in conversations or applicable situations.  So you see,  there are many skills needed in order to learn and use a language.  

Personally, I would want to learn basic sentence structure of the language I'm learning.  I want to be able to create simple sentences which I can use in different situations.   You see, learning a language and acquiring useful vocabulary should be contextual.  Expressions, vocabularies, grammar, become meaningful when they are applied in the appropriate situations and used in the right context.  

Let's take for example the grammar feature 'ka,'  if not used in the right context, people would think 'ka' only means "you." However, 'ka' also is a linker.  

Study the following group of words:

1.  Kumusta ka? 

2.  Duha ka iro.   


Which 'ka' means you?  

Which 'ka' is a linker between a number and an object?  If you can answer that, then you have some knowledge about the basics of Binisaya.


Here's another:

A good language teacher should be able to inject the right use of
'puydi' which is may in English and on what situations this may be 
used.  During this discussion, grammar can be taught.   

In this question, what do you think is the situation that 'puydi' can be used and what form of verb goes with it?

                              Puydi ko molingkod?                    
                              May I sit down?

Puydi is basically used in asking and giving permission or to express possibility.  However there are other uses of puydi depending in the context.  In English, the basic form of the verb sit is used with may, however in Binisaya, the infinitive form of the verb lingkod (actor-focus) is used with puydi.  

This is where grammar lessons and discussions are needed.  Do you still think grammar is important or not?  

Do you have a grammar question?  Ask away.