Sunday, July 24, 2011

Software and Hard Shell

I recently discovered an interesting translation. Being ethnic Chinese and living and working in the Silicon Valley, I am constantly exposed to technology news in both English and Chinese. One night on the Cantonese news hour I saw the reporter referring to Oracle Corporation as 甲骨 in Chinese. Now, 甲 literally means "shell" and 骨 means "bone". Why would a high-tech software company be translated to this strange name (other than being reduced to bones after paying for their software and services (but I digress))?

Turns out an ancient Chinese script is the intermediary in this strange relationship. The earliest Chinese text were divinations carved on animal bones and turtle shells. These bones and shells were then subjected to heat to form cracks, which a priest would interpret to foretell the future. Because of this usage, Western scholars called this highly pictorial script Oracle Bone Script. However, in China the name of the script was instead 甲骨文, which translates as "shell (and) bone script".

This essentially created an equivalence between English "oracle bone" and Chinese 甲骨, despite the fact that the Chinese word doesn't really imply any kind of ritual divinatory function. Then by semantic shift, 甲骨 came to just mean "oracle" in the mind of the reporter who wrote the first Chinese news article on Oracle Corporation. From there on it entered common usage and eventually onto the news program I saw on television.

Semantic shifts like this happen quite frequently in the history of languages. For example, the word "kleenex" now practically means "soft paper tissue" but obviously it originated from the brand "Kleenex". What other such semantic shifts can you think of?

47 comments:

  1. So true! Thank you for the information. Ancientscripts.com is one of my favorite websites.

    ReplyDelete
  2. that is quite intriguing, I love to learn new languages, I'm learning Chinese right now and I like to go deep into the semantics of the words. Kudos for the post!

    by the way, could you post a link of that software of the high-tech software company, please?? I'm very curious!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Superb publish I adore the document; really like how you explained everything, you do a terrific career a lot of other folks as if you via that will form of beneficial weblogs produce recognition to be able to us in connection with many points. When i go through a few other useful websites from a internet sites along with We are so much serious along with your blogs skills, I also started to generate document and this type talk truly aid myself out and about. My spouse and i already added your site and also discussed ones internet websites in order to my personal acquaintances not just everyone yet these people just like your own running a blog knowledge, trust anyone create more fascinating sites in this way a single in addition to all the best . on your foreseeable future blogs.

    Jimmy Wilson-Captain America Jacket Easy Rider

    ReplyDelete
  4. You have great blogging skills it sound quite nice i am impressed from your some other blogs too, Keep blogging

    Jeremy Renner Leather Jacket Bourne Legacy

    ReplyDelete
  5. So true! Thank you for the information!!! When i go through a few other useful websites from a internet sites along....


    Captain America Leather Jacket

    ReplyDelete
  6. Quite interesting blog! Sometimes I too think of the same but never find any satisfactory answer. Though your blog is little funky but I enjoyed reading it. Thanks for putting some lights on it. IT Outsourcing Culver City.

    ReplyDelete
  7. The explicit vernacular alms orb professes of increasing spree insecurity beside the minion shaft of deceives, introduce how that leverage encourage your lifelike.car service

    ReplyDelete
  8. The explicit vernacular alms orb professes of increasing spree insecurity beside the minion shaft of deceives, introduce how that leverage encourage your lifelike.Dental treatment Abroad

    ReplyDelete
  9. I want to express my admiration of your writing skill and ability to make readers read from the beginning to the end. I would like to read newer posts and to share my thoughts with you.West Palm Beach Website design

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for this well-written article that helps me a lot! I am grateful to read this I will follow your blog from now on.e-learning platform

    ReplyDelete
  11. I for one such as your post; you have shared great bits of knowledge and encounters. Keep it up.
    ColdFusion Assignment Help

    ReplyDelete
  12. I simply want to tell you that I am new to weblog and definitely liked this blog site. I have been meaning to write something like this on my website and you have given me an idea.Shoulder Injury Lawyer

    ReplyDelete
  13. Pleasant Post !! I like it, it additionally includes a great deal of helpful certainties. on account of share your experience.
    Competitive Information Policy at Pratt &Whitney Case Solution

    ReplyDelete
  14. Business economics is the research study of the monetary problems and difficulties dealt with by corporations running in a defined market or economy. Business economics handle concerns such as business, growth, management and technique.
    Business Economics Homework Help

    ReplyDelete
  15. Using a stocks tip list like this is a smart move to make if you are inexperienced or don’t have the time to put towards analytics yourself like hardly any of us do.silicone coin purse

    ReplyDelete
  16. Downloading a lot of content using Torrent is pretty slow. So use Showbox for better experience.

    ReplyDelete
  17. This appropriate instances a significant advantageous sense regarding wise call impacted thrombus exhausted Boulder, Colo.flat icons

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thank you for the hard work you have made in writing this post. In the future I am hopeful the same best work from you as well. Actually your creative writing abilities has motivated me.Retro Fashion

    ReplyDelete
  19. Astounding audit joined with in addition individuals on the globe will verifiable genuinely choose to a great degree a result of considering which frequently could. We can change consistently getting straight into perceive to find this kind of audit. Outright best calls. posting my jobs

    ReplyDelete
  20. I am happy to find your distinguished way of writing the post. Now you make it easy for me to understand and implement the concept. Thank you for the post.Brazil Honeymoon Resort

    ReplyDelete
  21. I read your excellent post. I really appreciate your post. Thanks a lot for share this interesting post.Resin Bound Gravel Diy Kits

    ReplyDelete
  22. The translation is interesting indeed. Chinese language is very extraordinary, to begin with. It did not make me giggle as it did with someone here. Either way,
    Top 20 Gadgets We Can't Imagine Life Without would be interesting to read just as well for curious people by nature.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I appreciate that you produced this wonderful article to help us get more knowledge about this topic. I know, it is not an easy task to write such a big article in one day, I've tried that and I've failed. But, here you are, trying the big task and finishing it off and getting good comments and ratings. That is one hell of a job done!send money abroad

    ReplyDelete
  24. why such information is for free here? Because when you write a book then at least on selling a book you get a percentage. Thank you and good luck on informing people more about it!mortgage broker near me

    ReplyDelete
  25. This is very interesting content! I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your points and have come to the conclusion that you are right about many of them. You are great.law firm marketing

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thanks for sharing nice information with us. I like your post and all you share with us is up to date and quite informative, I would like to bookmark the page so I can come here again to read you, as you have done a wonderful job.vintage clothing shops

    ReplyDelete
  27. It's totally comprehensive details. I'll bookmark for following reference.combat training for civilians

    ReplyDelete
  28. start my own blog Wonderful job. I really loved what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!Florida Pest Control

    ReplyDelete
  29. The Sims Mobile will officially release almost immediately for android and iOS, the game soft-launched for Brazilian players. If you can’t catch the Brazilian version, prospects are still available for you by downloading thesimsmobile game apk file on your android device.

    ReplyDelete
  30. There are lots of semantic shift in English and French languages. I'm studying at the department of romance and germanic languages so we are studying and making different kinds of homework writing on this issue in details.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Once you are well-informed about the real estate market and the selling process, selling your own home will become less stressful. Knowing how to navigate your way through this process is a wonderful skill.online thrift store uk

    ReplyDelete
  32. Eğitim hayatı bazı yerlerde ailelerin ekonomilerini zorlayabilmektedir. Ukrayna Üniversiteleri burs… Özellikle lisans eğitim sürecinde farklı bir şehirde ya da ülkede yaşayan oğlunuz/ kızınız için yeterli olamayabilmektesiniz.

    üniversite devlet bursları

    ReplyDelete
  33. Beautiful blog with nice informational content. This is a really interesting and informative post. Good job ! keep it up, hope to read your other updates. event planner Orlando

    ReplyDelete

  34. Thank you very much for this useful article. I really liked it

    Thanks
    Cpa offers

    ReplyDelete
  35. Interesting post and thanks for sharing. Some things in here I have not thought about before. Thanks for making such a cool post. Great site! landscaping companies

    ReplyDelete
  36. It is very interesting to see the need and power in leaving comments on other blogs. cleaning

    ReplyDelete
  37. Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with extra information? It is extremely helpful for me. symbolic regression

    ReplyDelete
  38. Interesting article! It's really great to know the origin or the roots. Thanks for sharing this information! towingwoodbridgeva.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I read your post carefully and found something new. Thank you for this post. Holistic Dentist in Durango, CO

    ReplyDelete
  40. This is a fantastic list of ideas! thank your post! Get More information about twin mattress for kids to provide them good sleep.

    ReplyDelete
  41. SmartSchool Education is a leading Indian K-12 education company. Innovation through technology forms the core DNA of the company. The company has been actively providing innovative K-12 educational solutions to various educational institution across the globe. The company has core competence in creating technology based K-12 education solutions to the clients worldwide. With current footprints in US, UK, Netherlands, Africa, Middle-east, Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal, Singapore, Nigeria, Bangladesh and India, the company is now rapidly expanding its footprint across other parts of the world. Having catered to more than 1,000,000+ students and over 1000 schools world-wide, the company is poised to become one of the largest K-12 technology solution provider world over.
    Smartschool Education

    ReplyDelete