I didn't know...

[Anonymous]

I'm not 100% sure if calligraphy skills are necessary to get a good job, but I have heard that also. It makes sense, since it has historically been a mark of the educated, and the upper class, plus, it has many important practical uses. Even in the U.S., poor handwriting on a job application will likely have a negative effect on the applicants chances of getting that job.

An interesting related bit of information I read in Scientific American Mind is that reading Chinese characters uses a different part of the brain than reading alphabetical languages. Apparently, in studying dyslexics, it was found that alphabet readers can have trouble connecting letters in a word with sounds, while reading Chinese requires connecting the "subtle arrangement of strokes in each character to its sound and its meaning, a task more visual and spatial." The article explains how MRI's showed different areas of the brain being used, and that this means treatment of of dyslexia in China will have to take this into account. I wonder how this more common use and development of visual and spatial skills also affects the thoughts and ideas of those who use non-alphabetical writing. Perhaps a finer sense of visual and spatial qualities might be a result, or a greater emphasis on these and on subtle differences might also be other outcomes. This could lead to all sorts of differences in the arts, music, and even social arrangements. What do you think?

[Anonymous]

I just heard recently that, as of a few years ago, English is now taught to all students in South Korea. I was told that this is because this is now an expected skill if you want to get a decent job there. I saw a show on channel 18 that showed primary school students being taught English, and practicing their skills in make believe situations with some visiting Americans acting as the people they needed to talk to. I find this very interesting, and I wish Americans had more early education in different languages also.

[Anonymous]

Unlike the United States, I think most countries in the world have recognized the importance of speaking more than one language in the ever expanding global economy. Perhaps we have gotten used to the idea that most people who want to do business with our country will speak English. Some may say this has bred apathy or arrogance in Americans. Until our nation as a whole recognizes the importance of other countries aside from their natural resources and their markets, foreign language will never be a strength of our people. Also, until our students become more proficient in math and sadly, English, our students being fluent or competent in other languages will be a dream. The other scenario is that our country has to develop the need to communicate with other people. Since we currently don't have that need (or don't make it a need), there is no motivation for our people to learn other languages. When I was in Morocco, some people that I met there spoke 6 languages (Arabic, French, Spanish, English, Italian, German). They learned it because their subsistence depended on all the tourists coming in from different parts of Europe.

[Anonymous]

Ryan great point.
We really don't realize the importance of our language and what many people from other countries do to learn the language.
There are tons of Korean students flying in from Korea just for a week to learn English in Los Angeles.
There are tons of "Language Schools" in Korea Town.
It is amazing.

On a personal note, my cousin in Korea who was working in the business field had personal tutors.
They are pretty pricey but he could afford them.
They paid something in the range of $300-$500 a month for four fifteen (15) minute conversation session on the telephone with someone who speaks English.
It's outrageous.
Also my step-sister is learning English and Chinese.
Many Koreans now also take Chinese courses as well.
We are a rich nation found in the very thing we speak.

lc

[Anonymous]

I think you make a valid point. The fact that most Americans do not speak another language other than English can come across as arrogance.

There is a joke which addresses this point:

What do you call a person who speaks three languages?
--A Trilingual.

What do you call a person who speaks two languages?
--A Bilingual.

What do you call a person who speaks only one language?
--An American

(6)

[Anonymous]

It would be great if foreign language classes were part of the primary curriculum here in the U.S.

[Anonymous]

That is so funny...
😛

lc

[Anonymous]

Shamanistic practices has always been a strong part of Korea.
Before Christianity became a powerful religious movement in Korea, Shamans were sought after for advice on everything.
Many Korean-Americans who has Korean names in addition to our American names have been named through a Shaman.
I know that I was eventhough my mother, who is devote Christian, had a hard time acknowledging.
Based on our Saturday's lecture, I found some interesting websites on Shamanism for those who are interested.

The first website is a general overview of Shamanism and has some lengthy resources:

General Information on Shamanism

The last is Shamanism practices in Korea:

Shamanism in Korea

Also, in Korean folklore dancing, there is always a Shaman.
It reveals their influential role in the communities/villages in Korea.

lc

[Anonymous]

that the making of guns in Japan occured in the 1500s. I had always thought gun production took place during the modernization period in Japan.

[Anonymous]

The youth of Japan are being called "hashi nashi zoku" which means "chopstick less tribe". The decline in chopstick use shows the trend of eating less traditional Japanese food and eating more western food.

[Anonymous]

That "konbini" (convenient stores) in Japan offer so many services. Many of the konbini are open for 24 hours. 7-11 is the largest and Lawson is the second largest chain in Japan. Not only does the konbini carry similar products to the convenient stores in the U.S, but they offer an additional abundance of services. You can buy tickets for sports events, concerts, plays and travel. You can arrange for packages to be dropped off at the konbini incase you are not home to receive it. You can order a university application form, send flowers and many other things. How convenient![Edit by="jchan on Jan 22, 9:03:46 PM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

I didn't know that the word "Mononoke" meant "demon" or "evil spirit". I have never seen the movie "Princess Mononoke", but now I wonder if that means Demon Princess or Evil Spirit princess?

[Anonymous]

In my haste to find out if Princess Mononoke really means Demon Princess, I went on the internet and found the Princess Mononoke website.
I read through it, found out a little about the movie, decided I need to rent it one day.
I learned however, that it is extremely insulting to Japanese to say that their soup tastes like water. To the insensitive Americans that we are (just kidding), that sounds harmless, but in Japan is is one of the worst things you can say. When they translated the movie from Japanese to English, the producers didn't think Americans would think soup tasting like water would be damning enough. They changes "... this soup tastes like water!!" to "... this soup tastes like (insert not nice word for urine that rhymes with hiss here)!!"
Point of this e-mail: If you get selected to go on the study tour this year, never say the soup tastes like water, let alone say the soup tastes like pi--. You might get this look if you do :@ and your next dish might make you feel like this 😐
Ryan

[Anonymous]

I didn't know that China does not allow pornographic, subversive or "sexually oriented content" on Chinese Web sites and that China has tried to block access to foreign sites that contain pornography. I also didn't know that China is strongly against the play of violent video games by children. All this makes me feel like we live in a VERY liberal country. All along, I thought we were the most prudish and conservative of the industrialized countries in the world. I never expected the Chinese to one up us on Puritanism and convervatism.
China shut down 1,600 Internet Cafes in November of 2004 because they were allegedly letting children play violent games and for other reasons. According to the article, the Chinese Ministry of Culture actually inspected 1.8 million Internet cafes. Seems like they take this thing really seriously.
If you would like to see the article you can find it at the link below:
http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2004/11/01/china_shuts_down_1600_internet_cafes/

[Anonymous]

I didn’t know that individuals might often engage in martial arts combat as a way of judging the level of respect to give to another. Recently I watched the film Fist of the Red Dragon starring Donnie Yen. I was confused about the great number of fighting scenes. It seemed that everyone was always fighting each other, even if they weren’t enemies or had no seeming cause for violence. From this I can only conclude that engaging in martial arts is a way to gain respect and often times services. For example, there is a scene in the film where one great kung fu fighter goes to a man in search of ginseng to help an opium addict recover. The man engages in combat with the great fighter before he will allow him to have the ginseng. Only when he has lost the battle does he say, “you are a great fighter, I would be honored to give you my ginseng.” It appears that fighting is a form of compensation or a method of bartering perhaps. Does anyone else have any ideas about this?

[Author]

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