Lang. activity
Iley31 http://teacherweb.ftl.pinecrest.edu/snyderd/APHG/projects/Mosaic%20Webquest.htm INTRODUCTION TO THE GLOBAL MOSAIC
OF LANGUAGE AND RELIGION
This Web quest is designed for you to gain an appreciation that language and religion are essential elements of culture. Answer the following questions to the best of your ability on a separate sheet of paper.
ACTIVITY 1: 100 Eskimo Words for Snow: Fact or Myth?
There are an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 languages spoken throughout the world today. One of the great beliefs in the many languages of the world is that, "Eskimos have more than a hundred words for snow." However, is this statement true? If so, what are they? Can we really believe everything we hear?
Go to http://www.derose.net/steve/guides/snowwords/index.html
1) Discuss the problem with saying there is an Eskimo language.
The traditional claim is "Eskimos have N words for snow" (for growing N) -- and every part of that claim is problematic: There is no single language "Eskimo", just as there is no single language "Indian". And, like "Indian", "Eskimo" is not a very good name: it lumps together two major cultural groups, the Inuit and Aleut, and ignores major differences (including huge language variation) within each group.
2) Are there 100 words for snow in this particular language? Explain.
Eskimo surely has no words for snow at all. Does Eskimo have a word for the grey mist in a poor TV picture? Just how wide or narrow do we draw the boundaries, and how do we ensure we're drawing them the same in the languages being compared?
Now for some fun, go to The Great Inuit Vocabulary Hoax. Should this site be taken seriously? NO
ACTIVITY 2: What's in a Name? Geographic Place Names
In China, Mandarin Chinese place names are often determined by their geographic location. (Most words are listed in the pinyin spellings, not the older Wade-Giles system)
Go to Chinese Place Names http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/chinalan.htm 3) Translate
OF LANGUAGE AND RELIGION
This Web quest is designed for you to gain an appreciation that language and religion are essential elements of culture. Answer the following questions to the best of your ability on a separate sheet of paper.
ACTIVITY 1: 100 Eskimo Words for Snow: Fact or Myth?
There are an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 languages spoken throughout the world today. One of the great beliefs in the many languages of the world is that, "Eskimos have more than a hundred words for snow." However, is this statement true? If so, what are they? Can we really believe everything we hear?
Go to http://www.derose.net/steve/guides/snowwords/index.html
1) Discuss the problem with saying there is an Eskimo language.
The traditional claim is "Eskimos have N words for snow" (for growing N) -- and every part of that claim is problematic: There is no single language "Eskimo", just as there is no single language "Indian". And, like "Indian", "Eskimo" is not a very good name: it lumps together two major cultural groups, the Inuit and Aleut, and ignores major differences (including huge language variation) within each group.
2) Are there 100 words for snow in this particular language? Explain.
Eskimo surely has no words for snow at all. Does Eskimo have a word for the grey mist in a poor TV picture? Just how wide or narrow do we draw the boundaries, and how do we ensure we're drawing them the same in the languages being compared?
Now for some fun, go to The Great Inuit Vocabulary Hoax. Should this site be taken seriously? NO
ACTIVITY 2: What's in a Name? Geographic Place Names
In China, Mandarin Chinese place names are often determined by their geographic location. (Most words are listed in the pinyin spellings, not the older Wade-Giles system)
Go to Chinese Place Names http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/chinalan.htm 3) Translate