If one perceives language through the lens of evolutionary biology, similarities can be found in the characters of all scripts. The orienting factor is human survival. In the alphabet, "A" represents sharpness and pain in the form of animals with which the alpha male identified. "B" (or really "B/V" because they often swap) represents females and the habitat in which they resided, and "C" (which was really "G" for a long time) is the stick that got the game.
Using Ancient Languages to Understand Our Own
Using Ancient Languages to Understand Our Own
The writings below compare Chinese characters, Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, and Sumerian cuneiform—the oldest scripts—in order to find patterns that help us understand the alphabet's origins. All ancient written languages reflect what was important to humans at the time they were created: sex and procreation. Linguists, who focus on spoken language, say there is no hierarchy to the alphabet, but anything with an order has a top and bottom. We use letters to grade students, meat, and, inversely, breasts: a "D" is a bad grade but a great cup size. Our alphabet is a clue to early human survival strategies. "Z" represented a weapon and used to be the seventh letter. Why did it move to the end if there's no significance to the order? Why are all the letters near "Z"—U, V, W, X, and Y—suggestive of women? (The shape of "Y" means "slave girl" in Chinese.) Read the chapters below for insights into how ancient appetites translated into our current writing system.
The writings below compare Chinese characters, Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, and Sumerian cuneiform—the oldest scripts—in order to find patterns that help us understand the alphabet's origins. All ancient written languages reflect what was important to humans at the time they were created: sex and procreation. Linguists, who focus on spoken language, say there is no hierarchy to the alphabet, but anything with an order has a top and bottom. We use letters to grade students, meat, and, inversely, breasts: a "D" is a bad grade but a great cup size. Our alphabet is a clue to early human survival strategies. "Z" represented a weapon and used to be the seventh letter. Why did it move to the end if there's no significance to the order? Why are all the letters near "Z"—U, V, W, X, and Y—suggestive of women? (The shape of "Y" means "slave girl" in Chinese.) Read the chapters below for insights into how ancient appetites translated into our current writing system.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
The eyes of the Irish often sport a green iris—the circular component that gives eyes their color. The iris is where ire can be spotted because the eyes mirror the mind. Perhaps sticking out with red hair and freckles forced a brawling persona upon the "fighting" Irish. Based on names, Iraq and Iran might share similar pugnacious tendencies. Iris is also the Greek goddess of the rainbow, and leprechauns are known for their continual (occasionally angry) search for a pot of gold at the end of one. A rainbow is considered a messenger, or a flag of peace: irises are the flags of spring.
Where can you get Janis Joplin, philosophy, and Irish whiskey all in one night? Saturday, March 12 O'Neill's SF by AT&T Park.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
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