Dr. Pipes statements

Submitted by Ynnatchkah (United States), Jan 3, 2010 at 03:00

How dearly precious and priceless I found a couple of Dr. Pipes statements,

"…interesting question of if and how studying a language deepens one's understanding of culture"…

"..It is absurd to imagine anyone studying, say, the United States or France without knowing English or French"…

No question. When you dedicate yourself to a new language, aiming to interact with the its structure, development throughout history, nuances of the same language spoken in different countries, even its musicality (rhythmic, sounds), no doubt you all of the sudden deepen your understanding of the culture that carries this language.

All of the sudden you feel in your "heart" that new culture. You become hungry for that culture in terms of knowledge and living. You develop, discover or re-discover a new personality of yours in your realm. You transform yourself-It is magic.

Also, the opposite way is valid. For example, when learning myself a little Italian, when interacting with Italians, I noted that even though my vocabulary was not extensive, neither my immediate capacity in decoding a speech directed at me (Spoken by different sources), when expressing myself in a Scarlatti, Tartini or even Rossini way, I was faster understood and welcome by the listener/interlocutor. "Incarnating" "slices" of that culture, resulted in faster and less dependant communication.

As if, an unconscious process took over, assuming the role of a "Leitmotiv"- to a better interaction and consequent mutual understanding.

I applied the same to English and a couple of other languages, and my interaction/understanding of those cultures deepened.

When speaking a foreign language, I try to focus on the muscles mostly used by native of those languages- for visual and sound better interaction.

But what I'm talking about: Snapshots of cultures, expressions of those cultures.

The "Grand Finale" in making the whole process significant part of your existence, is by living in foreign countries, where and when you improve the language faster by better accepting and understanding its people's culture.

Thank You Dr. Pipes, for providing again such an infinite wisdom and (needless to state), pleasure !!!!

((I know that the ficus of the statement was diverse, however wanted yet to thank you))

You guide: A rare diamond for human knowledge by a rare diamond in the field of History.

With full admiration,

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