Are the long-noted similarities between Japanese and other languages mere coincidences and created by chance? This presentation suggests a different view of these language resemblances based on global genetic history of homo sapiens and brain dynamics.
This presentation was prepared by Emily Rae Sabo, a linguist from Pittsburgh, PA. This PPT highlights the main points of a seminar she gave to the Fulbright Korea English Teaching Assistantship conference in April 2015. Emily is currently a Fulbright grantee in South Korea, but will soon begin her PhD studies in linguistics at the University of Michigan. If you should have any questions or comments, consider them warmly welcomed. Hope you enjoy and/or learn something new.
This presentation was prepared by Emily Rae Sabo, a linguist from Pittsburgh, PA. This PPT highlights the main points of a seminar she gave to the Fulbright Korea English Teaching Assistantship conference in April 2015. Emily is currently a Fulbright grantee in South Korea, but will soon begin her PhD studies in linguistics at the University of Michigan. If you should have any questions or comments, consider them warmly welcomed. Hope you enjoy and/or learn something new.
Phnotactics The linguistic term for possible phoneme combinations
Teachers who are awere of the demands of learning English for their ELLs and the specific linguistic needs based on students primary language are more effective during second langauge instruction.
The Japanese language consists of three written systems. Did you know that Kanji originated from Chinese is one of them? Here are 10 facts on enlighten you on Kanji (漢字)!
Phnotactics The linguistic term for possible phoneme combinations
Teachers who are awere of the demands of learning English for their ELLs and the specific linguistic needs based on students primary language are more effective during second langauge instruction.
The Japanese language consists of three written systems. Did you know that Kanji originated from Chinese is one of them? Here are 10 facts on enlighten you on Kanji (漢字)!
Introducing a new way of learning chemistry by encountering the molecules and their visual symbols in a real life context, which helps make the molecular world understandable, accessible and familiar.
If chemical representation can be likened to a natural language - especially one with ideograms or graphic symbols representing an idea or concept, then chemical symbols or structures can be seen as words and learning the language of chemistry can be seen as learning a natural language, which can be started early.
Each Spring, as a time of renewal and rebirth, swallows return to Capistrano.
This presentation postulates the existence of a similar mechanism - also known as strange attractor - within the human mind as part of the creative process, such as inside the mind of a perfumer.
Journey into the Psyche - The Designs of Alexander McQueenGraspingfish
The late fashion designer Alexander McQueen once explained that watching his fashion show was like taking a journey into the psyche. This presentation is an attempt at applying Jungian analysis to explore his creative process.
Order Out of Chaos - The Designs of Donna KaranGraspingfish
As the fashion designer Donna Karan once observed, "I live in a constant state of chaos; it's what drives me to create," this presentation is an attempt at applying the chaos theory to analyze her creative process.
Visualizing the Dynamics of Disruptive Business StrategiesGraspingfish
Have you ever wondered what they look like the playing out of different disruptive and
competitive business strategies - blue ocean, red ocean, crossing the chasm, differentiated, low cost and stuck in the middle etc.? This presentation suggests a way of visualizing the geometry of these behaviors.
June 3, 2024 Anti-Semitism Letter Sent to MIT President Kornbluth and MIT Cor...Levi Shapiro
Letter from the Congress of the United States regarding Anti-Semitism sent June 3rd to MIT President Sally Kornbluth, MIT Corp Chair, Mark Gorenberg
Dear Dr. Kornbluth and Mr. Gorenberg,
The US House of Representatives is deeply concerned by ongoing and pervasive acts of antisemitic
harassment and intimidation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Failing to act decisively to ensure a safe learning environment for all students would be a grave dereliction of your responsibilities as President of MIT and Chair of the MIT Corporation.
This Congress will not stand idly by and allow an environment hostile to Jewish students to persist. The House believes that your institution is in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and the inability or
unwillingness to rectify this violation through action requires accountability.
Postsecondary education is a unique opportunity for students to learn and have their ideas and beliefs challenged. However, universities receiving hundreds of millions of federal funds annually have denied
students that opportunity and have been hijacked to become venues for the promotion of terrorism, antisemitic harassment and intimidation, unlawful encampments, and in some cases, assaults and riots.
The House of Representatives will not countenance the use of federal funds to indoctrinate students into hateful, antisemitic, anti-American supporters of terrorism. Investigations into campus antisemitism by the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Ways and Means have been expanded into a Congress-wide probe across all relevant jurisdictions to address this national crisis. The undersigned Committees will conduct oversight into the use of federal funds at MIT and its learning environment under authorities granted to each Committee.
• The Committee on Education and the Workforce has been investigating your institution since December 7, 2023. The Committee has broad jurisdiction over postsecondary education, including its compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, campus safety concerns over disruptions to the learning environment, and the awarding of federal student aid under the Higher Education Act.
• The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating the sources of funding and other support flowing to groups espousing pro-Hamas propaganda and engaged in antisemitic harassment and intimidation of students. The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is the principal oversight committee of the US House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate “any matter” at “any time” under House Rule X.
• The Committee on Ways and Means has been investigating several universities since November 15, 2023, when the Committee held a hearing entitled From Ivory Towers to Dark Corners: Investigating the Nexus Between Antisemitism, Tax-Exempt Universities, and Terror Financing. The Committee followed the hearing with letters to those institutions on January 10, 202
Exploiting Artificial Intelligence for Empowering Researchers and Faculty, In...Dr. Vinod Kumar Kanvaria
Exploiting Artificial Intelligence for Empowering Researchers and Faculty,
International FDP on Fundamentals of Research in Social Sciences
at Integral University, Lucknow, 06.06.2024
By Dr. Vinod Kumar Kanvaria
Operation “Blue Star” is the only event in the history of Independent India where the state went into war with its own people. Even after about 40 years it is not clear if it was culmination of states anger over people of the region, a political game of power or start of dictatorial chapter in the democratic setup.
The people of Punjab felt alienated from main stream due to denial of their just demands during a long democratic struggle since independence. As it happen all over the word, it led to militant struggle with great loss of lives of military, police and civilian personnel. Killing of Indira Gandhi and massacre of innocent Sikhs in Delhi and other India cities was also associated with this movement.
Embracing GenAI - A Strategic ImperativePeter Windle
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies such as Generative AI, Image Generators and Large Language Models have had a dramatic impact on teaching, learning and assessment over the past 18 months. The most immediate threat AI posed was to Academic Integrity with Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) focusing their efforts on combating the use of GenAI in assessment. Guidelines were developed for staff and students, policies put in place too. Innovative educators have forged paths in the use of Generative AI for teaching, learning and assessments leading to pockets of transformation springing up across HEIs, often with little or no top-down guidance, support or direction.
This Gasta posits a strategic approach to integrating AI into HEIs to prepare staff, students and the curriculum for an evolving world and workplace. We will highlight the advantages of working with these technologies beyond the realm of teaching, learning and assessment by considering prompt engineering skills, industry impact, curriculum changes, and the need for staff upskilling. In contrast, not engaging strategically with Generative AI poses risks, including falling behind peers, missed opportunities and failing to ensure our graduates remain employable. The rapid evolution of AI technologies necessitates a proactive and strategic approach if we are to remain relevant.
Read| The latest issue of The Challenger is here! We are thrilled to announce that our school paper has qualified for the NATIONAL SCHOOLS PRESS CONFERENCE (NSPC) 2024. Thank you for your unwavering support and trust. Dive into the stories that made us stand out!
Biological screening of herbal drugs: Introduction and Need for
Phyto-Pharmacological Screening, New Strategies for evaluating
Natural Products, In vitro evaluation techniques for Antioxidants, Antimicrobial and Anticancer drugs. In vivo evaluation techniques
for Anti-inflammatory, Antiulcer, Anticancer, Wound healing, Antidiabetic, Hepatoprotective, Cardio protective, Diuretics and
Antifertility, Toxicity studies as per OECD guidelines
Normal Labour/ Stages of Labour/ Mechanism of LabourWasim Ak
Normal labor is also termed spontaneous labor, defined as the natural physiological process through which the fetus, placenta, and membranes are expelled from the uterus through the birth canal at term (37 to 42 weeks
2. Table of Contents
3. Introduction
4-8 Samples of language similarities
Languages having noun similarities with Japanese
Languages having noun and verb similarities with
Japanese
9. Observations from linguists
10. A linguistic model of syntax
11. A dynamical system model of syntax
12. Implications
13. Approximate timeline of interactions
14-15. Map of migrations and hypothetical interactions
16. Conclusion
17. Appendix
Languages making no distinction between noun and verb
Being and becoming
18-20. References
3. Introduction
An observation from linguistics and dynamical
systems that over time nouns tend to be more stable
than verbs can be used to establish the order in time
of the similarities noted between Japanese and
other languages such as Igbo, Finnish, Lithuanian
and Tupinamba.
4. Samples of Language Similarities
Languages sharing mostly noun similarities:
- Igbo and Japanese
Languages sharing noun and verb similarities:
- Finnish and Japanese
- Lithuanian and Japanese
- Tupinamba and Japanese
5. Japanese and Igbo
Adachi = adachi (name)
Aki (opening) = aki (palm kernel)
Atami = atani (town name)
Hi = ehihie (day)
Iru (be) = iru (face)
Ishi (mind) = ishi (head)
Madoka = madoka (name)
Nanami = nnamani (name)
Obi (sash) = obi (heart)
Obuchi = obuchi (surname)
Osaka = osaka (name)
Ube (town name) = ube (pear fruit)
Uke (attack) = uke (evil attack)
Yutaka = utaka (name)
6. Japanese and Finnish
Ataeru = antaa (give)
Ha = hammas (tooth)
Hana (flower) = hana (water tap)
Himo (string) = himo (desire)
Kasa (umbrella) = kasa (a heap)
Kutsu (shoe) = kutsu (invitation)
Maku (curtain) = maku (taste)
Namae = nimi (name)
Risu (squirrel) = risu (a stick)
Sora (sky) = sora (gravel)
Suru = seista (stand)
7. Japanese and Lithuanian
Kawa (hide of animal) = kavoja, slepia (hiding)
Oppai = papai (tits, breasts)
Kande = kanda (bite, bites)
Mushi = muse (bug, fly)
Oshiri = uzhpakalis (butt, behind) (Lit. often pron, as "oshpakalis")
Kochi kochi = kuti kuti (tickling, tickle-tickle)
Katai = kietai, kieta, kietas (hard)
Konki = kantri (patience) (not very similar)
Tairaka = taikinga, taika (peaceful, peace)
Tooi = toli (far) (very similar because our "o" is pronounced long as Japanese "oo")
Wakai = vaikai (kids, young) (wakaa - in West Lithuanian dialect)
Ikimas(u) = ejimas (going)
Ikimasho = eikime (let's go)
Ate = ate (end, bye)
Aishiteru = aistra (JP: I love you; LT: passion)
Te = te (JP: hand; LT: take it (command))
Mizu = mizu (myzhu) JP: water; LT: I pee, I take a leak)
Tikyu = tikyu (JP: Earth; LT: I believe)
8. Japanese and Tupinamba
Kabe = acapê (wall)
Âme = amã, mana (rain)
Arashi = arassy (storm)
Hanasu = nheenga (talk)
Ikiru = ikobe (live)
Iki so suru (breathe) = iko (to be)
Kashi = caxi (oak)
Kuri = curi (chestnut)
Semaru = sema (approach)
Sumire = sumare (violet plant)
Suru (do) = so (walk)
Tataku = tataca (beat, hit, hammer)
Tsuku = syka (arrive)
9. Observations from Linguists
“Concrete objects and entities are easier to
individuate in the world (and therefore easier to
label) than are the relational constellations that
form the referents of verbs or prepositions.”
–Dedre Gentner (1981)
“Verbs change faster than nouns.”
–Mark Pagel (2007)
“Nouns are more stable than verbs.”
–Eyal Sagi (2010)
10. A Linguistic Model of Syntax
Example: A bear catches a salmon.
According to the linguist Lucien Tesnière, nouns can be seen as
actors or actants (semantic roles) in a real small drama and verbs
as interactions between actants.
11. A Dynamical System Model of Syntax
According to the mathematician Rene Thom, actants are point attractors
of a gradient system. The dynamic capture process can be described in
ordinary language as one minimum capturing the other.
12. Implications
The apparent long-term stability of nouns over verbs
implies that the interactions between people whose
languages having mainly noun similarities must be
more ancient than those of people whose languages
having both noun and verb similarities.
14. Map of Migrations and Hypothetical Interactions
The interaction times among people speaking Japanese and other languages
appear to follow and approximate the journey out of Africa into Central Asia and
the later expansions from Central Asia into the Baltic States area and East Asia
and eventually into the Americas.
1. The migration out of Africa into Arabian Peninsula – estimated 70,000 –
50,000 years ago
Interaction between Igbo and Japanese
2. The migration from Arabian Peninsula into the Baltic States area and into
Central Asia and East Asia – estimated 40,000 – 30,000 years ago
Interactions between Finnish, Lithuanian and Japanese
3. The migration from the East Asia into the Americas – estimated 20,000 –
15,000 years ago
Interaction between Tupinamba and Japanese
15. (1) occurred after the interaction between Igbo and Japanese
(2) occurred after the interactions between Finnish, Lithuanian and
Japanese
(3) occurred after the interaction between Tupinamba and Japanese
16. Conclusion
The long-observed similarities between Japanese
and other languages like
Igbo, Finnish, Lithuanian, Tupinamba... can be
seen as remnants of their earlier interactions. The
times of the interactions appear to follow and
approximate the timeline of the journey out of Africa
into Central Asia and then of the migrations west to
the Baltic States area and east to Japan and
eventually into the Americas.
17. Appendix
There are certain Amerindian languages like Kalispel
Salish which do not make a clear distinction
between noun and verb.
A translation of A-bear-captured-a-salmon in this
language would appear to mean A bear captured it.
It was a salmon.
If noun can be seen as representing being and verb
as becoming, then this language – and to an extent
the world view of people who speak it – appears to
focus more on the act of becoming.
18. References
Similarities between Japanese and African languages
http://www.stewartsynopsis.com/links_to_japanese_and_af
rican_la.htm
http://www.igbodefender.com/blog/2012/07/25/interesting-
similarities-of-the-spellings-of-igbo-and-anglicized-
japanese-words/
Similarities between Japanese and Finnish, Lithuanian
http://www.jref.com/forum/learning-japanese-64/japanese-
finnish-5840/
Similarities between Japanese and Amerindian languages
http://www.unilang.org/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=30487
19. References
Gentner, Dedre, Some interesting differences
between Verbs and Nouns, Cognition and Brain
Theory, 1981, 4(2)
Pagel, Mark et al., Frequency of word-use predicts
rates of lexical evolution throughout Indo-European
history
Nature 449, 717-720 (11 October 2007)
Sagi, Eyal, Nouns are more stable than Verbs:
Patterns of semantic change in 19th century English,
Cognitive Science 2010
20. References
Rene Thom, Structural Stability and Morphogenesis
Marten Scheffer, Critical Transitions in Nature and
Society
Eugene M. Izhikevich, Dynamical Systems in
Neuroscience
James Shreeve, The Greatest Journey Ever Told:
The Trail of Our DNA, National Geographic, March
2006, 60-73
Spencer Well et al., Global Journey, National
Geographic, January 2013, 48-49.