Wow, join a skating board and see the world! It's so great to be able to hear about different languages and cultures from people who have authentic knowledge of them. Thanks for all the information on Asian history and language!
I had heard about the etymology of Beijing and Nanjing, but didn't realize the sad reason for the attack on Nanjing during World War II. It makes you realize how much history is hidden in the words we carry with us. One other related city etymology I learned once was Chunjing (don't know the modern accepted spelling; we used to spell it Chunking)--the Middle Capital. Isn't the "chung" in Chunging the same as the element in China's ancient name for itself, Chung Kuo, the Middle Kingdom?
It does seem as if Michelle could be a huge asset to Chinese-American relations. Wouldn't that be lovely? We may not be the most popular sport in the United States, but we might turn out to have a considerable impact on global affairs. Not that we would have anything to do with it, of course, but we fans can bask in reflected glory! After all, we've known the Kween since she was twelve.
You are right Olympia that the name for China is literally 'Middle Kingdom'
(BTW more Trivia:
England = Handsome Kingdom,
America = Beautiful Kingdom.
But part of the reason the 2 countries are given the 'flattering' translated words has to do with how they pronounce the name of the country in English that is similar to Mandarin. If they think you are an important country, they will give you a flattering name, one that be fitting to your character and status.)
but I don't think Chunking refers to the word Middle 中, it is more like 重慶 (Translation: Repeat Celebration)
but you picked up on an interesting point. Chinese characters are totally different from alphabetical system which is designed to emulate the spoken language like English. In the east, Japanese do use the alphabetical system too, therefore make it more straightforward in concept to learn for a westerner. It write how it sounds.
In Chinese however, the same sounding tone depends on which other words and context it is being used can have literally 20-30 variation of the sound, and the 4 intonation per same sound can literally means hundreds or thousands variation of different characters. This makes it a clever, sophisticated and flexible language (almost too clever), because each word has very specific meaning but there need to be used correctly even though they sound the same. You can say there's no such thing as syllables in a Chinese word, because each word is always just one syllable.
Take the typical structure of Chinese poetry (Like the most popular Tang Dynasty version), depends on the formats: 4 words per sentence, 4 sentence per poetry, you can be very clever with how you interplaying with the words, even though they sound exactly the same when pronouncing it.
It might be useful to note that even though the Chinese language can be spoken with different dialects, the writing and the grammar rules is universal and easily understood. The only difference is whether it appears in the formal format: traditional (used in Taiwan, Hongkong (sort of), Singapore) or the simplified version (China / Malaysia, may be Japan(!)). Although simplified version has always existed in China, it was not as widely adapted until after the 2nd world war when Communist China want to improve literacy entirely across the mainland - I think Japan might have simplified their version after the 2nd world war too. It is rather sad actually, because IMHO it completely butchered the sophistication of the language. Majority of the older overseas generation Chinese however should be more familiar with the traditional, since they are either extradited, or follows the norm pre-date the war.).
It is worth noting that if you are to learn Chinese in China, you would have learnt the simplified (dumbed down) version characters; but if you learn in Taiwan, you will learn the original traditional Chinese, which is more sophisticated and intricate (more variation of the same word), but it will make you appreciate the language better, because there are actually symbolism, culture and anthropology behind each word. Some words are so interestingly constructed they almost look like Egyptian hieroglyphics. Most people who read Traditional Characters can read Simplified version well too, but usually not so easy the other way round.
(btw sorry board, I think I might have got carried away with my rants, but languages happen to be a passion of mine.)
YOU are very strict lady with mistakes and Michelle. I m sending you a pm ...ummm, lets see...ummm ...LIKE never again.
) means not making a big deal out of something. Like, Michelle was trying not to sound pompous and self-important by her use of language.
