Search for: "blog"

A New Esperanto?: Universal Phonetic Alphabet Is an Attempt to Simplify Intercultural Communication

Submitted by on
2
Photo Courtesy: BBC News

Photo Courtesy: BBC News

This article from BBC News discusses the project of UK banker George Jabbour to create SaypU, a new universal language.   Utilizing a spelling designed to more accurately reflect the phonetic pronunciation of individual letters, the language has a pronunciation that is easy to learn.  Jabbour argues that this feature will enhance the language’s appeal as a common means of communication, reducing the cultural dissonance associated with dissimilar forms of linguistic expression:

“‘If people pronounce and speak in the same way it makes people feel closer to one another.  I do think the world with a single alphabet would be a more peaceful place.”

Drawing comparisons to Esperanto, a language created with similar Utopian aspirations, the article highlights a number of factors that hinder SaypU’s prospects for long-term success.  As an example, Nicolas Ostler, chairman of the Foundation for Endangered Languages, points out that the inability of any alphabet to standardize accents is a significant shortcoming of SaypU’s central premise.

Other critics of the project cite reasons beyond the phonetic challenges.  Henry Hitchings, author of Language Wars, is cynical of language projects that are hoping to achieve the same goals that Esperanto failed to achieve:

“Utopian language projects, in which an artificial system is put forward as an alternative to what’s developed naturally, tend to fail.  People are strongly attached to the distinctiveness and idiosyncrasies of whatever language they use.”

Rigsdansk and Dialects: Danish Throughout Denmark

Submitted by on
0

800px-Egeskov_Slot_spejling_Edit_2

This recent post by Transparent Language’s Danish language blog discusses the different dialects within Denmark:

“A century ago the dialects were so different that a person from the outskirts of Copenhagen and a person from the countryside around Ålborg in Jutland would have a hard time understanding each other… Today almost everyone speaks a variety of rigsdansk [REEce-dansk] (‘Danish of the Realm’), which is the Danish equivalent of Queen’s English.  The accent, however, changes a lot between regions, as does the choice of words.  You can easily hear whether a person comes from Jutland or Sjælland (Zealand).  In that way it still makes sense to speak of ‘dialects’ or ‘regional dialects,’ even if the differences are much smaller today.”

The dialects highlighted are categorized by region:

  • Sjællandsk.  It is primarily spoken in Copenhagen and distinguished by a rising tone and stød (minor coughing sound).
  • The stød-less fynsk (Funen)
  • The Swedish-influenced bornholmsk (Bornholm)
  • Jysk.  Its speakers are often associated by Copenhagen natives with rural stereotypes.  Certain variations are viewed as unintelligible by speakers of other dialects.  (Jutland)

 

In How Many Languages Do You Live?

Submitted by on
0
Photo Courtesy: The New York Times

Photo Courtesy: The New York Times

 

Peter Constantine’s book review from last January of “Babel No More” by Michael Erard investigates the enigmas and nuances of the world’s most impressive polyglots.  Among the questions addressed in the book are how these individuals learned so many languages, what approaches they undertook, and what differences their minds may have from less accomplished linguists.

One of the most interesting excerpts takes place in Bologna, Italy: “The hometown of one of history’s most distinguished polyglots, the 19th-century cardinal Giu­seppe Mezzofanti. The cardinal is said to have known 45, 50, 58 or even more languages, depending on whom you ask. Victorian travelers who met him at ecclesiastical banquets reported that he affably conversed in all directions with foreign visitors in languages ranging from French, German and Arabic to Algonquin and ‘Californian.’ (Lord Byron, who challenged the cardinal to a multilingual contest of profanities, was not only summarily defeated but walked away from the contest having learned a number of new Cockney gibes.)”

Erard also interviews specialists for their understanding of what truly defines a polyglot.  That of linguist Claire Kramsch, referring to the challenges that polyglots face when trying to summarize their various levels of proficiency, is among the most perceptive: “Asking how many languages you know is only asking half the question. You should also ask, ‘In how many languages do you live?’”

In other words, it isn’t just the vocabulary and grammar that define your understanding of a language, but also how you use it in everyday life.

They’re Already Gone: Rebels in Mali Set Fire To Manuscripts Dating Back To 1200’s

Submitted by on
0

timbuktu

File this one under “historic loss.”

Among the casualties in Mali’s internal conflict is a library containing thousands of historic manuscripts from as far back as the year 1204. The manuscripts had for survived through the centuries, hidden and preserved by Timbuktu residents through both peaceful and difficult times.

The vast majority of the texts were written in Arabic. A few were in African languages, such as Songhai, Tamashek and Bambara. There was even one in Hebrew. They covered a diverse range of topics including astronomy, poetry, music, medicine and women’s rights. The oldest dated from 1204.

Seydou Traoré, who has worked at the Ahmed Baba Institute since 2003, and fled shortly before the rebels arrived, said only a fraction of the manuscripts had been digitised. “They cover geography, history and religion. We had one in Turkish. We don’t know what it said.”

He said the manuscripts were important because they exploded the myth that “black Africa” had only an oral history. “You just need to look at the manuscripts to realise how wrong this is.”

Timbuktu’s mayor called it “a devastating blow.” And it really is. We’ll never get that human history back.

« First‹ Previous5678910111213Next ›Last »