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Doesn’t Japan use a phonetic alphabet now? Chinese uses word-based characters.
There are many completely different spoken languages–including Cantonese and Shanghainese and Fujianese–in China, but the characters are the same (simplified vs traditional characters notwithstanding). But for a generation now, children in the PRC, including Hong Kong, learn Mandarin and simplified characters.
Arkady, I love Chomsky for other reasons. Admittedly, I know very little about his linguistic theories. My interest in him is strictly related to his take on the mainstream media, social theory, politics, etc.
Pete – you didn’t put in your 2 cents when I originally posed the question! My friend (Jewish) agreed to it because the same priest that baptized her husband will be doing the ceremony.
Biffers – A lot of Chomsky’s language ideas aren’t as compelling as they used to be. I used to be a big fan, too, but recent research seems to refute his concepts.
M4L (and Won Ton?) knows this better than anyone, but there are different versions of the same characters in terms of complexity.
The oldest (and most complicated) set of Chinese characters are before Mao and survive in Taiwan. The Japanese are next — they simplified some of the complicated Chinese characters. And the characters now used in China are probably the simplist — after Mao, they were simplified quite a bit — I guess to allow people to learn something else beside reading and writing Chinese.
Doesn’t Japan use a phonetic alphabet now? Chinese uses word-based characters.
There are many completely different spoken languages–including Cantonese and Shanghainese and Fujianese–in China, but the characters are the same (simplified vs traditional characters notwithstanding). But for a generation now, children in the PRC, including Hong Kong, learn Mandarin and simplified characters.
Arkady, I love Chomsky for other reasons. Admittedly, I know very little about his linguistic theories. My interest in him is strictly related to his take on the mainstream media, social theory, politics, etc.
By Biff Champion on October 21, 2010 10:12 AM
I was kidding. I’m sure DIBS has seen more tongue than the meat slicer at Katz’s Deli.
And not just in my mouth either!!!!!!
dona – Also to make some kind of keyboard more easily designed.
I was kidding. I’m sure DIBS has seen more tongue than the meat slicer at Katz’s Deli.
Pete – you didn’t put in your 2 cents when I originally posed the question! My friend (Jewish) agreed to it because the same priest that baptized her husband will be doing the ceremony.
Biffers – A lot of Chomsky’s language ideas aren’t as compelling as they used to be. I used to be a big fan, too, but recent research seems to refute his concepts.
M4L (and Won Ton?) knows this better than anyone, but there are different versions of the same characters in terms of complexity.
The oldest (and most complicated) set of Chinese characters are before Mao and survive in Taiwan. The Japanese are next — they simplified some of the complicated Chinese characters. And the characters now used in China are probably the simplist — after Mao, they were simplified quite a bit — I guess to allow people to learn something else beside reading and writing Chinese.
I love languages too (and my idol, Noam Chomsky, while much more known for his political philosophies, is a linguist at MIT).
DIBS, are you familiar with any Asian tongues.