Comments on: Cultures, Armenian Heritage, And Orthography http://legacydaily.com/2008/12/cultures-armenian-heritage-orthography-and-why/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=cultures-armenian-heritage-orthography-and-why thoughts, lessons, observations, and experiences from a life's journey Wed, 25 Jan 2012 01:55:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: R http://legacydaily.com/2008/12/cultures-armenian-heritage-orthography-and-why/#comment-209 R Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:06:59 +0000 http://legacydaily.com/?p=173#comment-209 Շնորհաւոր Նոր Տարի եւ Սուրբ Ծնունդ Շնորհաւոր Նոր Տարի եւ Սուրբ Ծնունդ

]]> By: legacy daily http://legacydaily.com/2008/12/cultures-armenian-heritage-orthography-and-why/#comment-208 legacy daily Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:32:33 +0000 http://legacydaily.com/?p=173#comment-208 My mother used to say «Քանի լեզու գիտես այնքան մարդ ես:». As I finished typing the last sentence, I thought here's actually an example of conveying an atom from a culture that if translated into English will lose some of its meaning. Thanks for helping achieve the purpose of this blog with your comments. My mother used to say «Քանի լեզու գիտես այնքան մարդ ես:». As I finished typing the last sentence, I thought here’s actually an example of conveying an atom from a culture that if translated into English will lose some of its meaning. Thanks for helping achieve the purpose of this blog with your comments.

]]> By: R http://legacydaily.com/2008/12/cultures-armenian-heritage-orthography-and-why/#comment-207 R Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:44:28 +0000 http://legacydaily.com/?p=173#comment-207 I raised the points as a challenge not because I necessarily agree with them. Heritage is important in and of itself and the Armenian culture is important, not because its better but because it is unique and it has survived for so long against such incredible odds. Language is an integral part of heritage and culture and you are right that knowing more than one language is a richness. The Turks have a saying that each language is a different soul. My concern is that in our western societies where so much emphasis is placed on getting ahead it is difficult to transmit to children the richness of a small ancient culture. I raised the points as a challenge not because I necessarily agree with them. Heritage is important in and of itself and the Armenian culture is important, not because its better but because it is unique and it has survived for so long against such incredible odds. Language is an integral part of heritage and culture and you are right that knowing more than one language is a richness. The Turks have a saying that each language is a different soul.

My concern is that in our western societies where so much emphasis is placed on getting ahead it is difficult to transmit to children the richness of a small ancient culture.

]]> By: legacy daily http://legacydaily.com/2008/12/cultures-armenian-heritage-orthography-and-why/#comment-206 legacy daily Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:16:30 +0000 http://legacydaily.com/?p=173#comment-206 You raise very good points. Thank you! Let me respond to each individually. Why learn a language which may or may not be useful? To fill a stomach (live a good life, etc.), one need not go beyond basic marketable skills but to appreciate life and death, I'd argue we need more. Languages are key barriers and the necessary basics for people to go beyond their own cultures. I'm not talking about simple "hello, thank you, etc." here. I envy people who know 5-6 languages fluently as I am limited to only three. I wish your second point was not true, especially the "almost exterminated" part. Regarding your third point, I'd be very happy if the Armenian diaspora followed the lead (at least when it came to the language) of the Republic of Armenia. Your point is precisely what I am afraid of, that is losing the language and, as a result, in-depth appreciation of Armenian culture in the diaspora. You raise very good points. Thank you! Let me respond to each individually. Why learn a language which may or may not be useful? To fill a stomach (live a good life, etc.), one need not go beyond basic marketable skills but to appreciate life and death, I’d argue we need more. Languages are key barriers and the necessary basics for people to go beyond their own cultures. I’m not talking about simple “hello, thank you, etc.” here. I envy people who know 5-6 languages fluently as I am limited to only three. I wish your second point was not true, especially the “almost exterminated” part. Regarding your third point, I’d be very happy if the Armenian diaspora followed the lead (at least when it came to the language) of the Republic of Armenia. Your point is precisely what I am afraid of, that is losing the language and, as a result, in-depth appreciation of Armenian culture in the diaspora.

]]> By: R http://legacydaily.com/2008/12/cultures-armenian-heritage-orthography-and-why/#comment-205 R Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:42:51 +0000 http://legacydaily.com/?p=173#comment-205 A difficult question that of identity. We live in a utilitarian age - for example why learn a language which is not "useful"? For Armenians language, religion, cuisine, music, even cultural idiosyncracies are elements of an identity which is precious if only because it was almost exterminated. The language ultimately will depend on what happens in the Republic of Armenia as increasingly that will be where the living language survives. A difficult question that of identity. We live in a utilitarian age – for example why learn a language which is not “useful”?

For Armenians language, religion, cuisine, music, even cultural idiosyncracies are elements of an identity which is precious if only because it was almost exterminated.

The language ultimately will depend on what happens in the Republic of Armenia as increasingly that will be where the living language survives.

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