Latest news with #Sino-Tibetan
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
200-mile-long Gobi Wall in Mongolia had a function far beyond defense: Study
A new study investigated the Gobi Wall, the least understood section of the Medieval Wall System. Built by a nomadic empire, researchers discovered an architectural achievement that reflected its dynamism. Study authors described the Medieval Wall System (MWS) as 'one of the most extensive and enigmatic architectural features in East Asia. " The MWS is a network of walls, trenches, and enclosures. Stretching over 2,485 miles across China, Mongolia, and Russia, the Gobi Wall is a 200-mile section in Mongolia's arid highland deserts. The latest research published in Land is part of The Wall Project, funded by the European Research Council. Archaeologists have explored different sections of this wall that different empires built between the 10th and 13th centuries CE. The Gobi Wall was the most notable architectural achievement. An international team from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Yale University used remote sensing, pedestrian surveys, and targeted excavations to determine the Gobi Wall's origins, maker, and function. "The main goals of this research are to better understand the construction techniques used in building the walls, garrisons, and fortifications; to date their construction and periods of use; and to determine the purposes for which they were built. We also aim to situate this particular section within its broader environmental context and in relation to medieval Inner Asian political and economic dynamics," study authors explained. The Xi Xia primarily constructed it with rammed earth, stone, and timber. The materials alone communicate the sophisticated planning and logistical systems in place, as the location was so remote. The Xi Xia capitalized on the topography when building this complex wall of watchtowers, forts, trenches, and garrisons. Due to their proximity to water and wood, they were situated on elevated platforms such as mountain passes and sand dunes. At Garrisons G05 and G10, archaeologists unearthed ceramics, coins, and animal remains, indicating a much earlier occupation of the site 2,000 years ago. Most significantly, however, the Gobi Wall held a function beyond defense, challenging commonly held assumptions about nomadic populations. 'This settlement stability, despite harsh desert conditions, challenges prevailing assumptions that nomadic populations in this region were highly mobile, lacked permanent structures, and did not invest in fixed territorial markers or infrastructure. Instead, the evidence suggests substantial investment in territorial control,' study authors said. Though the Gobi Wall was a permanent structure, it was far from a static wall. It played a multifunctional role as an imperial tool for demarcating boundaries, managing populations and resources, and consolidating territorial control. The Xi Xia was a Tangut-led empire, a Sino-Tibetan people who ruled Western China and Southern Mongolia. They extended the wall during a geopolitical shift, when they had to strengthen their defenses and better manage their territory. According to Archaeology Mag, they hadn't anticipated the wall's greater complexity. The wall was so much more than a line of defense. Researchers described it as zones of control and interaction with dynamic infrastructures that could shift according to their needs. The Gobi Wall has risen to become one of the premier examples of its kind in China, offering 'substantial new insight into medieval frontier management strategies and architectural practices in Inner Asia,' the study authors concluded. Read the study in Land.
Canada Standard
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Canada Standard
Sikyong Penpa Tsering visits Calgary, urges Tibetan unity and cultural preservation
Calgary [Canada], May 27 (ANI): Sikyong Penpa Tsering, leader of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), arrived in Calgary, Canada, on May 24. As part of his ongoing official trip, he received a warm reception from the Tibetan community and representatives of the Tibetan Association of Alberta (TAA), according to a report from the CTA. During his visit, he addressed key political issues concerning Tibet. The TAA President opened the event with welcoming remarks and presented certificates of appreciation to former executive members. This was followed by introductory comments from Dr. Namgyal Choedup, the Representative of the Office of Tibet in Washington, DC, who outlined the goals of Sikyong's visit, according to a report by the CTA. Sikyong Penpa Tsering addressed the current political landscape regarding Tibet, discussed the CTA's ongoing interactions with international stakeholders, and stressed the necessity for unity among the Tibetan diaspora. Highlighting the significance of empowering youth and fostering community involvement, he encouraged Tibetans in Canada to stay dedicated to preserving their cultural heritage and supporting the Tibetan cause. Sikyong remarked that Tibetans have set themselves apart from other refugee communities due to their resilience and collective spirit. He noted that the Tibetan cause has remained prominent on the global stage largely thanks to the steadfast commitment of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and the indomitable courage of Tibetans living in Tibet. He reiterated the Kashag's strong determination to address the Sino-Tibetan conflict through dialogue based on the Middle Way Approach, a policy framework conceived by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and supported by the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, the CTA report stated. Sikyong further emphasised the teachings and guidance of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, particularly stressing His Holiness's Four Principal Commitments: the promotion of human values, fostering religious harmony, preserving Tibetan culture and the environment, and reviving ancient Indian wisdom. He urged the Tibetan community to integrate these values into their personal and collective lives. During his speech to the Tibetan community in Canada, Sikyong Penpa Tsering highlighted the significance of the Green Book, issued by the Department of Finance of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). He clarified that the Green Book certifies an individual's Tibetan identity in exile and represents the collective acknowledgement of the CTA as the sole legitimate representative of the Tibetan people. The visit concluded with a community gathering, where members of the Tibetan diaspora expressed their gratitude, followed by a formal vote of thanks from the Tibetan Association of Alberta, as highlighted in the CTA report. (ANI)
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Business Standard
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Taiwan detects 35 sorties of Chinese aircraft, 8 vessels in its territory
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence on Wednesday detected 35 sorties of People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, eight People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels, and two official ships operating around Taiwan. According to the MND, 25 of the PLA aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). Sharing a post on X, MND wrote, "35 sorties of PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels and 2 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 25 out of 30 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded." MND on Tuesday detected 31 Chinese military aircraft, seven naval vessels, and one official ship operating around the island by 6 am (UTC+8). Of the 31 aircraft, 30 crossed the Taiwan Strait's median line and entered the northern and southwestern parts of Taiwan's ADIZ. Sharing a post on X, MND wrote, "31 sorties of PLA aircraft, 7 PLAN vessels, and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 30 out of 31 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ." Meanwhile, the MND also said that China launched satellites from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC) at 2:09 am (UTC+8) today. In another post, MND wrote, "At 02:09 (UTC+8) today, China launched satellites from #XSLC, with the flight path over central Taiwan toward the Western Pacific. The altitude is beyond the atmosphere, posing no threat. #ROCArmedForces monitored the process and remain ready to respond accordingly." Taiwan's Council of Indigenous Peoples has criticised a former legislator for echoing "United Front" slogans during an event in China, asserting that Taiwan's indigenous peoples are not "descendants of the Yellow Emperor," Taipei Times reported. The council emphasised that any exchanges involving indigenous communities must be based on mutual respect and equality, without promoting political agendas. The controversy centres around former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) legislator and National Dong Hwa University professor Yosi Takun, who recently attended an event hosted by China's Yunnan Minzu University. During the event, a banner proclaiming "Both sides of the Strait share the same ancestry, Zhonghua spirit, and are one big family" was prominently displayed. Taiwan's Council of Indigenous Peoples rejected this narrative, reaffirming that Taiwan's indigenous peoples are of Austronesian descent, not of Chinese lineage." Taiwan's indigenous peoples are not descendants of the Yellow Emperor," the council declared, adding that these communities are culturally and linguistically linked to the Austronesian family, not the Sino-Tibetan language family. The council criticised Yosi's remarks at the event, where he described minority cultures as an "important part of Chinese civilisation.
Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Science
- Indian Express
‘Some suggest we might lose a quarter of all living languages by end of the century': Author Laura Spinney
Eight billion people speak roughly 7,000 languages worldwide. These languages are grouped into about 140 families, though most spoken ones belong to just five major groups: Indo-European, Sino-Tibetan, Niger-Congo, Afro-Asiatic, and Austronesian. However, Sanskrit, Greek, Latin, Old Norse, and English all trace their roots to a much older tongue: Proto-Indo-European, combining proto, meaning 'first,' with Indo-European, the name of the language family it spawned. It is this language that forms the subject of author Laura Spinney's latest book: Proto: How One Ancient Language Went Global (2025). According to Spinney's research, Proto-Indo-European was originally spoken by just a small group living near the Black Sea. Around 5,000 years ago, their language began to spread rapidly in all directions, fragmenting as it went. This linguistic expansion of Indo-European languages, which Spinney likens to a 'Big Bang', is central to her newest release. In an interview with Spinney discusses the inspiration behind her book, the significance of the Black Sea region and its early technologies, and the implications of a world shifting toward monolingualism. Edited excerpts: Q: What drew you to a topic that is both so weighty and widely debated? Spinney: As a science journalist, I have always been interested in language, though in the past my focus was more on its neuroscientific and psychological aspects. I became aware that the story of the Indo-European languages had been transformed by the ancient DNA revolution — which might sound surprising to those unfamiliar with this story. But the first of those languages died before they could be written down, so historical texts are no use to us when it comes to probing their origins. We call the common ancestor of the Indo-European languages Proto-Indo-European. It was the language of people who never saw their names written down. The reason that ancient DNA is so useful in this context is that, along with archaeology and historical linguistics, it can help us identify the probable speakers of Proto-Indo-European and trace them through time and space. Since migration is thought to be a major, if not the main, driver of language dispersal and change in prehistory – before writing – information about how those people moved is invaluable. Q: How central was the Black Sea region to the origins of the languages many of us speak today? Spinney: I think the consensus among experts is that the Black Sea region is where these languages were born. The language I describe as Proto-Indo-European in my book is the parent of all living Indo-European languages, as well as many that are now extinct. I make that clarification because there is an ongoing and often intense debate about what came before Proto-Indo-European — since no language appears out of nowhere. The general idea is that Proto-Indo-European, as I define it, was a language that emerged on the steppes north of the Black and Caspian Seas around 5,000 years ago. The debate centres on where the parent of that language was spoken, and when. Again, while much less is known about that earlier stage, the prevailing view is that it was still spoken somewhere around the Black Sea — possibly in the Volga steppe, or south of the Caucasus in the Armenian highlands. So, whether you are talking about the earlier or the later phase, the Black Sea region remains the focal point – the cradle in which these languages were born. Q: We do not often think of technology and language as connected, but how deeply intertwined are they? Spinney: I think we do not automatically see language and technology as related, but it takes just a moment's reflection to realise they clearly are — because people talk about what matters to them. They move and interact to trade in what they value. Around 6,500 years ago, in the Black Sea region, trade in copper was thriving. Copper was the first metal humans worked with, marking the start of the Copper Age. People were trading copper across the Black Sea and beyond — it was smelted in the Balkans and transported deep into the steppe, for example. Many societies around the region became involved. To begin with, those societies would have had no common language. There's no known example in human history of people trading in high-value goods without a common language. In such situations, people tend to develop a lingua franca — a shared language for commerce — and they do so surprisingly quickly. The term lingua franca comes from a later example spoken around the Mediterranean, but many experts believe a lingua franca emerged around the Black Sea during the Copper Age, and that an early Indo-European language contributed to it. Q: Would you say English is the global lingua franca for trade today? Spinney: Yes, English is definitely a lingua franca — the first and arguably the only global one, for now. Of course, that could change. People often assume language is fixed, but that's not how it works. If the geopolitical, demographic and economic situation changes, English could forfeit its dominant position in the world. Still, for the moment, English is the most widely used lingua franca. It is not the only one —Swahili and Lingala are major lingua francas in Africa, and Malay plays a similar role in parts of Asia. So, there are many, but English is currently the most prominent. Ultimately, language is a tool — possibly humanity's oldest — and we use it to create opportunities, improve our lives, and connect with others. That is why it is always changing, adapting through the brains and mouths of its speakers. Q: How essential are genetics and archaeology in tracing linguistic history? Spinney: Historical linguists have spent hundreds of years reconstructing language family trees, mainly by comparing living languages and historical ones — like Sanskrit, Ancient Greek, and Latin. They analyse vocabulary, sound, and grammar to understand how languages are related, what they share, and how they diverged from a common ancestor. However, they can only determine the relative chronology of events in a language's life. To anchor those events in chronological time, they rely on historical texts where those are available. If they are not, which is the case by definition in prehistory, they must turn to archaeology and genetics to understand who was alive and what was happening in the world. Archaeology provides critical insights by examining material culture. It reveals who lived when, where, and how, as well as their relationships to other societies, with tools like radiocarbon dating helping to establish timelines. This is invaluable for understanding the lives of ancient people, often in ways that written texts from later periods cannot. Genetics, particularly ancient DNA, offers a means of tracing ancient migrations and relationships. While we could previously track migration patterns through modern populations, we could only do so to about 10 generations or a couple of centuries back. Ancient DNA allows us to understand, in quite a detailed way, what was happening long before that. Since migration is such an important driver of language change and dispersal, knowledge about ancient diasporas is a game-changer in the study of prehistoric languages such as Proto-Indo-European. Though archaeology, genetics, and linguistics do not always align perfectly, their collaboration is powerful. Each discipline provides independent data, allowing for cross-referencing and strengthening the conclusions we draw. Q: Is language loss a phenomenon unique to modern times? Spinney: No, though the phenomenon looks different now. Starting in the Neolithic, after the invention of farming, populations grew because they were able to feed more people in a given area. As populations expanded, so did their languages. Dialects formed, and many eventually became distinct languages, leading to the birth of major language families still spoken today. In total, there are roughly 140 language families, with Indo-European being the largest. With the advent of writing and the rise of early states, about 5,000 years ago, those states typically chose one language, often that spoken by the elite, to serve as the language of administration. This led to the dominance of certain languages and the decline of smaller ones. While this process began long ago, it has accelerated in recent times. Today, we are in a unique phase where languages evolve more slowly due to factors like schooling, standardised writing, and state administration. Global trade and the internet have further reinforced the spread of certain languages, with English being the prime example, pushing smaller languages to the margins. This has led to an accelerated loss of languages. Some estimates suggest we might lose a quarter of all living languages by the end of this century—numbers that are quite alarming. We are living through a period of rapid language decline, much like the ongoing loss of biodiversity. These two trends are interconnected. While language decline has always been gradual, something more significant is happening now. Q: What are your thoughts on the push towards monolingualism by governing elites around the world? Spinney: This phenomenon largely arose with the nation-state, with Europeans especially focused on imposing a single national language. This often stems from power dynamics—it's politically advantageous for those in power to create a unified sense of identity and to present the nation as a cohesive entity. A single language makes it easier to organise people, but it does not reflect the natural state of human societies. In many parts of the world, including much of Africa, stable bilingualism or even multilingualism is the norm. In theory, there is no reason why a country cannot have an official administrative language while people continue speaking their local languages in daily life. These two can coexist harmoniously. So when authorities insist on one official language, as (US) President (Donald) Trump did with his recent order that English be the sole official language of the USA, they are largely playing a game of nationalist politics. Such top-down orders can have an impact, but they are not the only factor affecting the extent to which a language is spoken. Demography, geopolitics and popular culture play a role too. As I said, language is a tool. A given language will survive for as long as it is useful. But who knows what languages will be useful in future? There is a Darwinian parallel here with biology. A diverse gene pool tends to be a good thing because it allows a population to adapt to changing circumstances. Linguistic diversity is valuable for the same reason, and unfortunately, we are losing it quite fast. Moreover, smaller languages contain vast amounts of local knowledge and history that we stand to lose. Preserving languages for research and revitalising them are distinct processes. Reviving a language requires the full support of the community that speaks it, whereas preserving it for study can be done with research investment. Both are important, but they serve different purposes. Q: How does climate change affect languages? Spinney: Climate change has played a significant role in shaping migration patterns, particularly in prehistory, and when people moved, they carried their languages with them – at least for a while. This reconfigured the linguistic landscape, such as the spread of Indo-European languages from the Black Sea region. Today, with over 7 billion people on the planet and a worsening climate crisis, it is interesting to think about how that crisis will impact our linguistic landscape. There is no evidence yet that a refugee crisis will follow in the wake of the climate crisis, and indeed, some experts say it won't happen. However, people have always moved – and if we needed proof of that, ancient DNA has provided it in buckets. The directions of flow of migrations are also shifting in interesting ways in the modern world. So I would say that migration will continue to shape our linguistic landscape, as it always has. We have to factor in other things, like the internet and schooling and literacy – things that barely existed, if at all, hundreds of years ago. It is impossible to predict exactly what the linguistic landscape will look like in 100 to 200 years, but change is certain. In fact, I would argue that the language landscape our grandchildren know will likely differ more from ours than ours does from our grandparents', which is something to think about! Nikita writes for the Research Section of focusing on the intersections between colonial history and contemporary issues, especially in gender, culture, and sport. For suggestions, feedback, or an insider's guide to exploring Calcutta, feel free to reach out to her at ... Read More
