Names of peoples (Jesus, creation, America, Hebrew, Greek)

[painted wolf]

a as in father... in this case.

vowels
a, as a in father, or short as a in rival
e, as a in hate, or short as e in met
i, as i in pique, or short as i in pit
o, as o in note, approaching aw as in law
u, as oo in fool, or short as u in pull
v, as u in but, nasalized

perhaps I should start a thread on how to speak Cherokee, or language resources for Native Languages

wa:do

[Scuba Pete]

Thanks PW!

[No*s]

Yes, thank you indeed . I like languages.

[painted wolf]

okie dokie
consider it done

wa:do

[anders]

Just the question of how to name foreign countries and cities could have me writing for hours on end. For a short time, it was politically correct in Sweden to use "Kampuchea" for Cambodia. In a few years' time, the PC requirements reverted to "Kambodja".

Working as a translator, these things are sometimes very important to me and my customers. We don't always agree, though.

In some cases, I would be quite adamant. The African language names "Hottentot", "Bushman", and "Galla" are now considered derogatory. They should be replaced by "Khoi", "San", and "Oromo", respectively.

And a pet peeve of mine: please, please don't use "Caucasian" for anything else than languages and people of the Caucasus. I'm as pale as any paleface, but not a single one of my ancestors has ever been born closer to the Caucasus than some 1200 miles, if I calculate correctly.

[No*s]

Why change the name of the African language in question so many times? If you change it, why not simply assume their name for their language, even if you transliterate it?

[painted wolf]

well the San call themselves that... or the Dobe-JuHonsi(sp?), they certenly would never call themselves 'bushmen'.
It isn't just the name of the language but the culture, often they are one in the same. Much like with the American natives.

Honestly there are some problems with translation, as I showed with Chrokee we don't all use the same phonetics or eaven sentance stucture. In Cherokee for instance verbs vary according to what sort of substance is involved. verb conjigation depends on if the noun is solid, liquid, food, involves a family member or stranger and so on... very complex.

wa:do

[kreeden]

Originally Posted by painted wolf

Honestly there are some problems with translation, as I showed with Chrokee we don't all use the same phonetics or eaven sentance stucture. In Cherokee for instance verbs vary according to what sort of substance is involved. verb conjigation depends on if the noun is solid, liquid, food, involves a family member or stranger and so on... very complex.

wa:do

Thanks for pointing that out PW . Now I don't feel like a complete dolt . Languages are NOT my strong point . For excample , I could not roll a " r " if my life depended on it .

If the world only had one language , then perhaps we all would call a tree , a tree . But as long as no disrespect is meant , then what is the big deal ? Granted , names often do have a disrespectful begining , and they can be changed in time . Hopefully .

[painted wolf]

the point with names of groups of peoples is that they are often insulting. For instance Sioux, that was an insult to the Dakota, Lakota and thier other affilaited tribes. It was not their names for themselves. It would be like popularly calling the french 'frogs' or the English 'limies' or other various insults.
The big deal is self worth and pride. Such names over time dehumanize and insult the bearer.
Language is very powerful it molds the way we see ourselves and our world.

wa:do

[rivet]

When you label me, you negate me.