Just read a few chapters of Ostler's "Empires of the word". Some impressions:
Sanskrit is an old wise hermit, believing in his own spiritual superiority. He is an disillusioned idealist, holds tight to his own principles and has no concern of the world around him. People flock to him for his wisdom, he does not care. People leave him to tend to their own lives, he does not notice. Within himself, he finds beauty and perfection.
Egyptian is a stately yet charming lady. She matures in her infancy, lives a long contented life, and passes away without ever aging. In that, she has acquired her eternity. She sprinkles her seeds leisurely, which we harvest without being grateful, yet she never minds. With awe, we look up to her. With grace, she smiles at us.
Chinese is a white-haired Tai Chi master. His strength undulates; his spirit never yields. He speaks with confidence; he writes with elegance. He strolls through time steadily; he wanders on his land freely. He is as strong as wind, and as weak as water. We ask him for his secret. He tells us to breath.
Greek is a defeated yet unyielding hero. With a bruised ego, he is still holding the torch of his past glory. His light shines upon us through the thickness of time. His blood has long been infused into ours such that we admire him with a hint of self-indulgence and a thread of tragic sensation. We are moved just thinking of him.
(to be continued)
- Re: If languages are peopleposted on 11/08/2005
Beautiful insight! Please continue... - Re: If languages are peopleposted on 11/09/2005
I like the expression though not necessarily the ideas.
like ah-san, waiting for more ...
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