Asian Languages: A Reserch

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Discussion
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Language can be defined as a system where use of symbols is applied having numerous levels of organization which include the sounds (phonetics), the meanings of the sounds (semantics) as well as the grammar (syntax) (Aitchison, 1996). No one really knows as to where the origin of language lies despite there being theories to suggest it. But there is a general theory suggesting that language might have emerged from hunters who used it as a warning of danger (Bolton, 2003). All that is known is that human beings have a gift for producing language while animals use signs (Aitchison, 1996).

Discussion

The culture of Greek began making its way into literature, historiography as well as philosophy in the Mediterranean Basin but Chinese culture already had spread to many parts of its surrounding countries (Philip, et al., 2001). Since Greece is a group of islands surrounded by the watery sea, its language, Greek took time to spread into surrounding countries as well as the western languages since the sea presented itself as a barrier to movement. On the other hand, China is a country which is large but particularly distanced from other non-Asian cultures due to its geographical position (Aitchison, 1996).

Classical Chinese influence is seen in languages of many east as well as south East Asian countries, mostly in the written form. These countries include Korean, Vietnamese, Zhuang and Japanese (Bolton, 2003). Originally, Korean and Japanese languages when spoken linguistically are completely and unrelated to Classical Chinese (Philip, et al., 2001). Despite it being quite simple in its written form to the Chinese community, to the Japanese, Vietnamese as well as Koreans, the written Classical Chinese is viewed to be a nightmare. For an individual to learn and become acquainted with Classical Chinese meant one had to be elite (Ibid, 2001).

The spread of the language to Japan took place in the 5^th century and a system meant to represent Japanese sounds using Chinese characters was introduced (Bolton, 2003). On the other hand, its spread to Korea occurred when the Han Empire took over northern Korea in 108 BC (Philip, et al., 2001). In due time, creation of systems to accommodate simple Chinese characters in transcribing Korean took place and despite it being efficient as well as simple, Classical Chinese was written by majority of the educated Koreans who also had a choice of using Korean language (Aitchison, 1996). Chinese characters still continue to be used in most newspapers as well as official documents. But Japanese community has a need to retain majority of the Chinese characters used in its written language since it does not have numerous kinds of sounds (Bolton, 2003).

Classical Chinese has been adapted to surrounding countries due to the availability of job opportunities. Since China embraced industrialization earlier than most countries, positions such as managerial positions are in demand (Philip, et al., 2001). Individuals from other countries are thus going to school to learn the classical Chinese language to enable them communicate effectively with Chinese citizens once employed, since not all Chinese are conversant with the English language (Ibid, 2001).

The immigration of people from other countries has improved Chinas economy greatly as well as economies of the surrounding countries. Once people gain enough knowledge and skills from China, they go back to their respective countries for instance Japan and Korea, and share their knowledge with others. In the process, inventions are made, creation of jobs occur and enhancement of economies are as a result (Bolton, 2003).

The Greek language also had similar influences on its surrounding countries which are the western countries as did Classical Chinese on its surrounding countries. Each and every country is in possession of part of the languages as well as the Greek civilization (Philip, et al., 2001). In 16^th Century, invaders from the northern side who spoke Greek established themselves in Greece. Immediately after Greek Kings death 2,300 years ago, Alexander the Great eliminated racism by ordering marriage of non-Greeks wives to his officers (Browning, 1983). This enhanced the spread of Greek to majority of Greeces neighboring countries.

The western world has greatly been impacted by ancient Greece culture as well as ancient Greek. Currently, European countries as well as other countries around the world converse in languages which make use of words which are originally Greek (Browning, 1983). Architecture, astronomy as well as culture consist of words which are partly Greek (Aitchison, 1996). Ancient Greek construction methods and styles are followed by modern Americans.

On the economical influence, language had become a major political issue which was brought about by individuals debating on which kind of Greek would suit the independent state (Dicks, 1971). Faced with a tough decision to make, Adamantios Korais who was a nationalist in the 18^th Century recommended a compromise between two major languages, which were demotic Greek and Attic. In the end, an artificial Greek language named Katharevousa, was suggested and it became an official language of the independent state of Greek (Browning, 1983). This new language was used up until the year 1976 when it was replaced with Modern Greek by a law which was passed. It is now the official language used despite it containing some modifications (Dicks, 1971). Since Greek is and has been incorporated into major western languages including English, it is currently being used in official documents, science and technology, literature as well as in areas of finance and education (Browning, 1983).

Although both ancient Greek and Classical Chinese have had influence as well as impacts on their respective surrounding countries, they have also had an impact on each other. Greek tradition came into contact with the Chinese culture at the end of the 16^th century (Bolton, 2003). Classical Chinese scholars used to translate works of poetry as well as geometry using Greek, although they did not do this from original Greek texts (Browning, 1983). Gradually, little or no more classical Chinese is currently being used in China as well as surrounding countries due to their adoption of both Greek and English languages (Aitchison, 1996).

Conclusion

Classical Chinese as well as ancient Greek have both played a key role in impacting both Asian and western countries. Countries like Vietnam, Japan and Korea use classical Chinese as well as modern Chinese in most of their conversations and scripts while ancient Greek is used world wide in the English language. Their impacts on language as well as script can be witnessed in present day since they are still used in most parts of the world. Both have also had similar and positive impacts on economies and cultures of their respective surrounding countries.

References

Aitchison, Jean. (1996). The Seeds of Speech: Language Origin and Evolution. Cambridge: Cambridge UP.

Bolton, K. (2003). Chinese Englishes: A Sociolinguistic History. Cambridge, New York: Cambridge University Press.

Browning, R. (1983). Medieval and Modern Greek. 2^nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Dicks, T.R.B. (1971). The Greeks: How They Live and Work. New York: Praeger.

Philip, J. Ivanhoe, et al. (2001). Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy. New York. Seven Bridges Press.

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Asian Languages: A Reserch

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