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6 Local Writing Systems in Indonesia

Indonesia is a vast country in Southeast Asia that anyone can recognize easily on the map because it borders the sea, thus its country border is also the sea border. Hundreds of ethnic groups and languages exist in Indonesia. Despite having numerous writing systems, the government recognizes the Latin alphabet as the official writing system, which was introduced during the colonization by the Europeans.

I speak 4 languages in Penang Malaysia and I shall learn 1 more language

I spoke 4 languages: Hokkien, Indonesian, English, and Mandarin on my recent trip to Penang. There was no communication barrier since the Penangnites are mostly multilingual too, at least, they know a bit of each language. They are also familiar with the Indonesian language because of the many tourists from Indonesia, either for tourism or medical checkups. I had learnt Tamil before but it was not enough for me to have a conversation yet. I will learn Tamil more seriously from now on, so I can use it on my next trip to Penang.

5 Famous Polyglots and Their Learning Techniques

You may have watched videos of people speaking in multiple languages. Some of them even call themselves hyperpolyglots. Whether they really can speak fluently or not, we don't know unless we test them. However, here I shall present 5 renowned polyglots that have been on the news, in the community worldwide and have proved their exceptional linguistic capabilities.

Fast way to learn Tamil alphabet

I have wanted to learn Tamil for a long time, but lack of motivation hindered my progress. I struggled to decide whether to learn the alphabet first or go straight to the conversation using romanization. I felt demotivated whenever I looked at the alphabet chart. The Tamil alphabet has 13 vowels and 18 consonants, and many combinations of these vowels and consonants. I thought to myself how am I going to remember all of this?

9 Multilingual News Websites For Reading Practice

Learners learn languages in many different ways, such as attending language classes, playing games, or listening to audio. Whatever the methods are, they usually cover four aspects of language learning: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Mastering only one or two of these is not enough because, in reality, we read, listen, speak, and write.

A unique group of Chinese Indonesian: Why are they still able to converse fluently in Hokkien after most areas have been "Indonesianized"?

Before visiting Medan, Indonesia, like many non-Indonesians who have never visited Medan, I thought that the local Chinese were highly Indonesianized, just like other parts of Indonesia such as Jakarta, Surabaya and Bandung. Therefore, when I visited Medan for the first time in 2009, I was deeply surprised by the fact that most of the local Chinese, including children, speak fluent Hokkien, as Hokkien is also my father's native dialect.

Nauruan Language

The Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a two-day event promoting the Asia-Pacific culture in the capital city of Taiwan, Taipei City, on September 28-29th. The participants come from the Solomon Islands, the Philippines, the Marshall Islands, Vietnam, Tuvalu, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, New Zealand, Palau, Nauru, Malaysia, Kiribati, Japan, Indonesia, India, Fiji, and Brunei. Apart from performing dances from each country, the participants also displayed a wide variety of handicrafts and artworks as well as authentic cuisine at each country's booth.

Were people in the past more serious about invented languages?

Historical Uses of Invented Languages Philosophers and Universal Languages: In the past, many invented languages were driven by a desire to improve communication and understanding. For example: Esperanto (1887): L. L. Zamenhof created Esperanto as a universal language to promote international peace and understanding. This was a serious, idealistic ambition. Logical Languages: Philosophers such as Gottfried Leibniz in the 17th century dreamed of a universal, logical language that could replace natural languages, often seen as confusing and imperfect. Religion and Mysticism: Invented languages were also used in religious or mystical contexts. An example is Enochian, an "angelic language" that John Dee and Edward Kelley claimed was given to them by supernatural beings in the 16th century. These languages were often considered sacred or symbolic and therefore treated very seriously. Motives Behind Earlier Invented Languages Earlier invented languages often had greater phi...

Medan Hokkien

Medan Hokkien is a vibrant and distinct dialect of the Hokkien language, primarily spoken by the Chinese Indonesian community in Medan, the capital city of North Sumatra, Indonesia. This dialect is a testament to the region's rich cultural tapestry, reflecting a history of migration, trade, and cultural exchange. History Medan Hokkien's roots can be traced back to the Hokkien-speaking areas of Southern Fujian province in China, particularly the Zhangzhou region. The dialect evolved significantly, especially during the 18th and 19th centuries when trade between the eastern coasts of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula flourished. The influx of Chinese laborers, mainly from Penang, brought the Hokkien dialect, which mingled with the local languages and customs, giving rise to the unique variant we know today as Medan Hokkien. Medan Hokkien is a means of communication and a carrier of cultural identity for the Chinese Indonesian community. It encapsulates the history of migration, the...

Differences between the Malaysian Han Chinese and Taiwanese Han Chinese

While both Malaysian and Taiwanese Han Chinese share a common cultural heritage, their mentalities differ significantly due to historical, political, and social factors. Malaysian Han Chinese: Multicultural Environment: Malaysian Han Chinese often grow up in a multicultural environment, interacting with people of various ethnicities and religions. This can foster a more tolerant and open-minded perspective. Chinese Influence: Due to historical ties with China, Malaysian Han Chinese may have a stronger connection to Chinese culture and traditions. This can influence their values and worldview. Language: Many Malaysian Han Chinese speak Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien, or other Chinese dialects, which can contribute to a sense of cultural identity. Taiwanese Han Chinese: Unique Cultural Identity: Taiwanese Han Chinese have developed a distinct cultural identity that separates them from mainland Chinese. This identity is shaped by factors like the Taiwanese Hokkien language, indig...

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