Language evolutions

Date: Mon, 23 Jun 2003 14:29:34 +0200
Newsgroups: soc.culture.filipino
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On Sun, 22 Jun 2003 02:09:49 +0200, "Sylvia Knörr"
<email-address-deleted> wrote:
>"Singam" <email-address-deleted> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
>news:email-address-deleted...
>> I believe Tamil is much older. I have read that Tamil is one of the
>> derivatives of an ancient language called the Sub-Saharan language.
The
>> hypothesis is that Basque is of a similar origin. I have seen a
>> comparative mapping but can't say that I was convinced.
>
>Never heard something about such a thing as "Sub-Saharan language".
What´s
>that? And as for the Basque language - there have been many claims of
>relationship in linguistic science, but nothing really convincing. The
>Basque language is unique amongst European languages, and it still is a
>mystery where the Basque people originally came from.
Edo Byland thinks ther are links between Basque and the South Indian
languages... BTW, my memory was in error - Saharan, not sub-Saharan
language.
http://www.islandnet.com/~edonon/dravidia.htm
Larry Trask thinks Tamil had an independant evolution path which may
even predate Sanskrit.
http://www.linguistlist.org/~ask-ling/archive-1999.1/msg00097.html
Some believe the hypothesis of Aryan invasion is in error. They propose
that the Vedic culture evolved in the region of the Saraswathy river.
When the river dried up, the disapora South became the Dravidians, those
who went West became the Semites and those going North, the Europeans.
http://www.itihaas.com/ancient/contrib1.html
Oh, if only I had a time machine! :-)
And to think I hated history when I was in school.
>> The similarity between Tamil and Japanese (phonetics and syntax, not
>> vocabulary) is more striking.
>
>Now what - is Tamil an Austronesian language or not?
I think not. I have not seen any parallels.
>> >Have you ever been to the Philippines?
>>
>> I stayed several days in Cebu, attending a conference. Then I stopped
>> overnight in Manila to visit a friend.
>
>What was your subjective impression?
I liked what I saw, travelling by Jeepney and all. My friends were
horrified to learn that I had ventured into the Old City. But I never
felt unsafe at any time. I guess I didn't have the look of a rich
foreign tourist. :-)
>I wanted to know to which religion these gods belong. Hindu gods and
>godesses? Please forgive me not knowing things that in your world every
>little child knows. It is just that before my interest for the
Philippines
>started (not long ago), I never had to do anything with southeast Asian
>cultures. Never before did I have a conversation with a Malaysian or a
>Tamil. You are the first one. :-)
Nothing to forgive. You are right. I should not take for granted that
cultural nuances are globally understood. For instance, the concept of
karma is something we subscribe to almost intuitivley. It has become
such a fad in the West and apparantly is gaining acceptance.
>> The Hindu pantheon has hundreds of beings at various levels of
>> spirituality/power. Each of these has many names.
>
>You are a Hindu?
That's what I enter in forms. In reality, I subscribe to the idea that
all religions have common roots/ideals. It's the rituals and manner of
delivering the message where the variations emerge; and so many wars are
fought over. :-(
>Is "Ikaw Parin" also a Freddie Aguilar song?
Nah, some guy with a Japanese name.
>Hmm, I´m not fluent with English enough to tell by your writing style
to
>which generation you belong. Judged from your knowledge and things you
>mentioned I guess you are more than 40, but younger than 60. Right so
far?
>A photo could be VERY helpful. Would you mind to post /e-mail one? :-)
For one claiming to be not very fluent in English, you're doing well
enough. :-)
And your guess is pretty close too. :-D
Mysterious Singam.
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