(The picture comes from http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2009/12/brushing-up-on-navi-the-language-of-avatar.html)The professor talked about language this week, which reminds me of the language, Na'vi, in Avatar. It has a grammatical system, limited vocabulary and it becomes popular among humans.
It just created for a movie. That's so amazing!
Well, let's go back to our common life. I'm a Chinese speaker, and Engish is my second language. I don't know about what other people think about English. For me, it's not easy. Although a lot of my friends say English is the easiest one, who learn English as their second language,too.
Different languages have different characteristic. As I know, Chinese uses a logographic system for its written language, instead of an alphabet one. When people learn Chinese, they should learn hundreds of Chinese characters, Hanzi. I think the reason why Chinese people think English is harder to learn than the European do, mostly because of the total different language systems.
By the way, if you are interesting in learning Chinese, EMU has the program. :) And you can apply to Office of International Students for a conversation partner as well.
This is a really great connection between languages. I loved Avatar it is amazing that a language was created for it. You are doing great with english. I think you're right though, Chinese and English are just so different it is hard to compare them.
ReplyDeleteI never pay'd attention to Avatar really. But it's cool that a language was created for it. And didn't know it was called a logographic system.
ReplyDeleteCommunication between two diffrent speaking countries is kinda hard. It seems like the diffrences between english and chinese are vast. I saw avatar and really enjoyed how it shows communication as an important link to understanding each other's culture
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you all here! Bridging the gap between vastly different cultures and languages is near impossible at times. But i also believe it is essential in order for humans to co-habitate in this world. one must try to let go of his/her own understanding of the world to understand how others may view it. Ofcourse, like most things...its easier said than done.
ReplyDelete