NEWSWEEK magazine, July 20, 2009 issue on page 31:
A science editor wrote: "Language may shape our thoughts. The effect is powerful enough that private mental lives of speakers of different languages may differ dramatically.
The basic sensory perception and a small plake can have an effect on how people think about things in the world."
The impact and repercussions are too crucial to be ignored. The consequence would imply the crucial decision for peace and economic development. i.e. "You jin yao guan tou de jue ding xing" in Pin Yin system of romanization.
Perception and reception are testimonials to effective communication in every field of endeavor. That is why the study of foreign languages are so critical in the 21st century when USA continues to assume leadership in the world.
US-China relations are the most significant one as perceived by leaders in USA and in China as well.
Chinese characters are ideograms(ideograph) with circa 200 radical index to indicate philology with a taste of ethnology to etiology.
It is important for Chinese folks to study American English in order to be able to understand USA in the 21st century and it is more significant for Americans to study the Chinese language for more effective contacts with the Chinese. A case of point would be the study of the Wu dialect i.e. Shanghainese for World Expo in 2010. An American Hall is being built in Shanghai and is expected to be completed before May 2010.
"A Glimpse of the Chinese Language" is available free of charge at PDF format via www.rand.org for initial exposure in English as a form of art and music for cultural enrichment apropos of the harmony in humanity.
Francis Shieh a.k.a. Xie Shihao, a native of Shanghai since 1926 and a graduate scholar in USA since 1947.
Friday,July 17, 2009 at 2.30 p.m.
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