If you’ve recently graduated from school and are at a crossroads in the start of your career Teaching English in Japan might be worth looking into. Believe it or not the English language learning industry is a multi-billion dollar one that employs over 65,000 ESL teachers.
What’s Needed to Teach
In order to get a job teaching English in Japan, you will need to be a college graduate from any field – (sorry but 2 year degrees won’t cut it.) You pretty much also need to speak English at native level fluency. There are some that do find teaching jobs in Japan even though English is not their first language but this is more an exception to the rule.
You’ll also need a working visa in order to work legally in the country. Most employers will take care of this for you. Working visas are good for one year with extensions being from 1 to 3 years for U.S. citizens.
Another very helpful trait is an interest in Japanese culture. When you fly 10,000 miles east things get pretty different pretty fast. So having a desire to experience Japanese culture is helpful. Not from the standpoint of getting a job but from the standpoint of enjoying the experience. Those who don’t have a natural curiosity or desire to experience Japanese culture usually don’t last that long.
What Isn’t Required
Contrary to what many believe a TESL or TEFL certificate is not required in order to teach. Although it does help getting higher paying jobs. The majority of the large recruiters, the ones that have recruitment centers all over the world, don’t require TESL certification.
Also because these large recruiters pay the minimum wage of 250,000 yen per month (roughly $2100 U.S.) they also don’t require much teaching experience. In fact the bulk of this industry runs on recent grads.
General Information About Teaching English in Japan
Let’s start with money. You should expect a wage of at least 250.000 yen per month. This is a entry level salary for those with little or no experience. However be warned this won’t go that far in large cities like Tokyo or Osaka. You should expect a bit more to compensate for the cost of living factor in these large cities.
Large English schools like Nova, Aeon, Geos, Berlitz & ECC will also offer 2 weeks paid vacation and most national holiday off. Schools differ on which national holidays they observe but the norm is 8 to 10 per year.
Expect to work close to 40 hours per week. Each school is different but you can expect roughly 20 to 25 actual teaching hours per week with the rest being office hours. A typical teacher will work 5 days per week with Sunday and another weekday off. Teachers with seniority may get Saturdays and Sundays off. Typical office hours are filled by grading student work, taking class notes, preparing future lessons or just chatting with students. Most schools also will provide you with health insurance or subsidize it.
Larger chain schools, mentioned above, usually have a fixed curriculum. This means you’ll be using their in house texts, tapes and other support materials for teaching. For those who don’t have a lot
of teaching experience it’s a helpful in reducing stress (there already is quite a bit in adjusting to the culture and learning the language etc.) Those who need to express their creativity in the lesson will probably find it stifling.
Students who will be assigned to your class will probably be of all ages. Literally from 5 to 6 year olds up to 75 and 76 year olds. Some schools deal specifically with children or adults but because of the competitiveness of this industry, most schools cater to all ages. Student wise, you can expect a healthy dose of children and young professionals like office ladies and salary men as they’re called to make up the bulk of who you teach.
Most of your large chain schools will provide you with some type of accommodations. This is a very big help as it’s difficult to find accommodations on your own without the help of a Japanese national. Not to mention being very expensive. Although the type provided will vary expect things to be on the small side.
Teaching English in Japan surely is an experience best taken with an open mind. For those with an interest in Japanese culture it surely can be one of the most enjoyable and lucrative ways to experience Japan.
http://www.articlejoe.com/Article/Teach-English-in-Japan/15184
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Guide To Buying Language Translation Services
For many people, buying translation services can be a frustrating experience. We have summarized key points to clarify issues faced when procuring translation services. These tips are based on suggestions from the Institute of Translation and Interpreting in London .
1. Does it really need to be translated? Many times clients request translation of large documents. After careful consideration, perhaps only a portion of your large document needs translation. You may be able to trim hundreds of pages and thousands of dollars from your budget if you translate only relevant sections of the source document or produce shorter versions of your original document.
2. A picture is worth a thousand words. Sometimes maps, drawings, and diagrams are far more effective than verbosity so use text only when you must.
3. Think "international" from the start. Avoid cultural clichés within your text and imagery that might be relevant to only one culture. These only yield lengthy translated wordplays to keep the local flavor but check with your international team.
4. Should you use a translation company or a freelance translator? Both a freelance translator and a translation company can be appropriate. Companies will generally charge more because of the teamwork, added value of project management, quality control, file conversions, and standardized presentations for multilingual projects. This team's price ultimately can save you hours of work.
5. Translators may produce accurate yet not polished translations; something called "for information" translations. They generally can be produced faster and more cheaply than "for publication translations." Some translators and translation companies routinely supply "for information" translation as standard work rather than a "for publication" job. To avoid confusion, clarify what you prefer with your translation service. Learn more in our quality options article.
6. Resist the temptation to do it yourself. Speaking is not the same as writing. Oral fluency does not make smooth, stylish writing. Further, in many cultures, the incorrect use of the local language -especially by a native English speaker-- is not amusing; it is insulting.
7. Finalize your document before translating it. Writing a document and translating it simultaneously is not a wise idea. The time spent editing and revising the translation work greatly increases your translation cost.
8. Tell your translator the purpose of the translation. He or she then will be able to prepare the document for maximum impact with your intended audience.
9. Professional translators will work into their native language. Make sure you are speaking your readers' language. No one is more qualified to ensure this than a native speaker.
10. The more technical your subject, the more important your translator knows it inside out. Technical translations require translator knowledge of the subject matter, the source language, and good writing skills in the target language as well as good understanding of the source language.
11. Have your translation provider proofread the typeset copy. Typesetters are not responsible for accurate and proper text. Good translation practices include a final proof from the translator.
12. Take into account that typographical conventions vary from one language to another. Countries have different typographical conventions, even when they speak the same language. If you need to localize text for a specific country, make sure you are following that country's conventions. For example, numbers are divided into thousands by a comma or a period.
http://www.articlejoe.com/Article/Guide-To-Buying-Language-Translation-Services/17899
1. Does it really need to be translated? Many times clients request translation of large documents. After careful consideration, perhaps only a portion of your large document needs translation. You may be able to trim hundreds of pages and thousands of dollars from your budget if you translate only relevant sections of the source document or produce shorter versions of your original document.
2. A picture is worth a thousand words. Sometimes maps, drawings, and diagrams are far more effective than verbosity so use text only when you must.
3. Think "international" from the start. Avoid cultural clichés within your text and imagery that might be relevant to only one culture. These only yield lengthy translated wordplays to keep the local flavor but check with your international team.
4. Should you use a translation company or a freelance translator? Both a freelance translator and a translation company can be appropriate. Companies will generally charge more because of the teamwork, added value of project management, quality control, file conversions, and standardized presentations for multilingual projects. This team's price ultimately can save you hours of work.
5. Translators may produce accurate yet not polished translations; something called "for information" translations. They generally can be produced faster and more cheaply than "for publication translations." Some translators and translation companies routinely supply "for information" translation as standard work rather than a "for publication" job. To avoid confusion, clarify what you prefer with your translation service. Learn more in our quality options article.
6. Resist the temptation to do it yourself. Speaking is not the same as writing. Oral fluency does not make smooth, stylish writing. Further, in many cultures, the incorrect use of the local language -especially by a native English speaker-- is not amusing; it is insulting.
7. Finalize your document before translating it. Writing a document and translating it simultaneously is not a wise idea. The time spent editing and revising the translation work greatly increases your translation cost.
8. Tell your translator the purpose of the translation. He or she then will be able to prepare the document for maximum impact with your intended audience.
9. Professional translators will work into their native language. Make sure you are speaking your readers' language. No one is more qualified to ensure this than a native speaker.
10. The more technical your subject, the more important your translator knows it inside out. Technical translations require translator knowledge of the subject matter, the source language, and good writing skills in the target language as well as good understanding of the source language.
11. Have your translation provider proofread the typeset copy. Typesetters are not responsible for accurate and proper text. Good translation practices include a final proof from the translator.
12. Take into account that typographical conventions vary from one language to another. Countries have different typographical conventions, even when they speak the same language. If you need to localize text for a specific country, make sure you are following that country's conventions. For example, numbers are divided into thousands by a comma or a period.
http://www.articlejoe.com/Article/Guide-To-Buying-Language-Translation-Services/17899
Learn Spanish Online – Amazingly Simple
The invention of the internet has made everything easier right? You can now shop online, send letters, find information at the drop of a hat, even find your house in satellite pictures on Google Earth. However, you would of course think that as learning a language involves speaking, this is something you would not be able to do online. You would be wrong. If you type learn Spanish online into Google you get approximately 72 million results. Now as with anything else, I am sure most of these are useless but you see my point.
There are now many websites that allow you free access to conversation exercises and vocabulary drills among other things. My personal favorite is LearnSpanish.com. I am sure it is structured much like its competitors however when I find something I like I tend to stick with it. This site allows you access to an amazing amount of drills and exercises for free. It of course also has another more extensive version that you have to pay for as I am sure most of the websites do.
So you can very simply sit in front of your computer and commence your lessons. My one recommendation though, is that if you plan to learn Spanish online, do not do what I did and go to an internet café to do so. If you do not have a computer try to find a friend that will let you borrow a laptop or come to their house to study. Trust me when I say it is very difficult to do pronunciation drills with 20 people who all speak the language perfectly sitting around and looking at you like you have lost your mind.
Of course it is probably close to impossible to actually learn Spanish solely online as it is quite necessary to hear the pronunciation and practice with actual human beings in order to be able to carry on a conversation. However if you are looking for some base knowledge to work with the internet provides a wealth of possibilities.
http://www.articlejoe.com/Article/Learn-Spanish-Online---Amazingly-Simple/18104
There are now many websites that allow you free access to conversation exercises and vocabulary drills among other things. My personal favorite is LearnSpanish.com. I am sure it is structured much like its competitors however when I find something I like I tend to stick with it. This site allows you access to an amazing amount of drills and exercises for free. It of course also has another more extensive version that you have to pay for as I am sure most of the websites do.
So you can very simply sit in front of your computer and commence your lessons. My one recommendation though, is that if you plan to learn Spanish online, do not do what I did and go to an internet café to do so. If you do not have a computer try to find a friend that will let you borrow a laptop or come to their house to study. Trust me when I say it is very difficult to do pronunciation drills with 20 people who all speak the language perfectly sitting around and looking at you like you have lost your mind.
Of course it is probably close to impossible to actually learn Spanish solely online as it is quite necessary to hear the pronunciation and practice with actual human beings in order to be able to carry on a conversation. However if you are looking for some base knowledge to work with the internet provides a wealth of possibilities.
http://www.articlejoe.com/Article/Learn-Spanish-Online---Amazingly-Simple/18104
Learn Spanish Words – It’s A Breeze
What are the first words learned when living in a foreign country? Well I can tell you when I started to learn Spanish words the first ones I picked up and began to use were the swear words. Why is that? Why do we focus on the negative aspects of a language first? The first thing we want to be able to do is yell at people and express our displeasure eloquently. Why do we not instead ask how to say something is amazing, or delicious, or fabulous? So to learn these important Spanish words the first thing we do when we get of the plane is make friends and ask them how to swear.
Well what about learning other Spanish words? Reading is a good way. Pick up the local newspaper and translate all the words you don’t know. This takes a long time and can be frustrating but is very effective. I have also found it helps to write down the words you learn to get a visual of them as you memorize them. It is a lot easier to remember a word when you know how it is spelled. You can figure out the pronunciation and remember it better than simply listening to your friend with the very strong Spanish accent say it and trying to imitate.
Unfortunately sometimes it seems like the more words you learn the more you don’t know. I constantly learn new Spanish words and think I can now say what I want until I try to formulate a sentence and realize there are 5 other words I need. It is a never-ending uphill battle to learn all I need.
http://www.articlejoe.com/Article/Learn-Spanish-Words---It-s-A-Breeze/18105
Well what about learning other Spanish words? Reading is a good way. Pick up the local newspaper and translate all the words you don’t know. This takes a long time and can be frustrating but is very effective. I have also found it helps to write down the words you learn to get a visual of them as you memorize them. It is a lot easier to remember a word when you know how it is spelled. You can figure out the pronunciation and remember it better than simply listening to your friend with the very strong Spanish accent say it and trying to imitate.
Unfortunately sometimes it seems like the more words you learn the more you don’t know. I constantly learn new Spanish words and think I can now say what I want until I try to formulate a sentence and realize there are 5 other words I need. It is a never-ending uphill battle to learn all I need.
http://www.articlejoe.com/Article/Learn-Spanish-Words---It-s-A-Breeze/18105
Learning How to Write in Chinese
What do you need to know before you start learning Chinese?
Before you begin to learn how to read and write Chinese, there is one thing you need to know, it is a very difficult language that will take years and years of dedicated hard work. If you have not had any experience with Chinese culture and calligraphy in the past, it can be difficult sometimes.
Chinese writing is very different from most other languages in the world. There are tens of thousands of characters that represent different words and you will have to memorize many of these words and learn how they are used grammatically in a sentence. It is a tall task so if you are planning on learning Chinese, be sure you are ready to invest the time required, it is not an overnight process.
The symbols used in Chinese language are very different from those in Western and Latin languages. There are relatively few patterns in the Chinese language compared to that of Spanish or English, and that is what makes it especially difficult to learn.
Unalike the French and Spanish languages, which use English letters with a few new symbols and minor changes to the American alphabet, such as accents and dots over certain vowels and other minor changes to characters, the Chinese language does not use any of the letters or shapes we are very familiar with. Hence, there is a lot of learning and memorizing that needs to be done in the initial phase of learning how to write in Chinese. Once you become more experienced with Chinese writing, you will be able to catch on quickly and learn new words and construct more complicated sentences quicker, but the first few months of memorizing symbols and how they are used in sentences can be very monotonous and tiring. This is the phase when many of those who attempt to learn Chinese, give up because of the sheer amount of work involved.
If you have a strong work ethic and are overall a hard worker that needs to learn how to write in Chinese or is just generally interested in the subject, make the attempt and be sure to stick with it and not give up right away. It is going to be very difficult to memorize the characters at first so be sure to anticipate that and remember that it will get easier once you become more familiar with the characters and how to construct proper sentences.
http://www.articlejoe.com/Article/Learning-How-to-Write-in-Chinese/29754
Before you begin to learn how to read and write Chinese, there is one thing you need to know, it is a very difficult language that will take years and years of dedicated hard work. If you have not had any experience with Chinese culture and calligraphy in the past, it can be difficult sometimes.
Chinese writing is very different from most other languages in the world. There are tens of thousands of characters that represent different words and you will have to memorize many of these words and learn how they are used grammatically in a sentence. It is a tall task so if you are planning on learning Chinese, be sure you are ready to invest the time required, it is not an overnight process.
The symbols used in Chinese language are very different from those in Western and Latin languages. There are relatively few patterns in the Chinese language compared to that of Spanish or English, and that is what makes it especially difficult to learn.
Unalike the French and Spanish languages, which use English letters with a few new symbols and minor changes to the American alphabet, such as accents and dots over certain vowels and other minor changes to characters, the Chinese language does not use any of the letters or shapes we are very familiar with. Hence, there is a lot of learning and memorizing that needs to be done in the initial phase of learning how to write in Chinese. Once you become more experienced with Chinese writing, you will be able to catch on quickly and learn new words and construct more complicated sentences quicker, but the first few months of memorizing symbols and how they are used in sentences can be very monotonous and tiring. This is the phase when many of those who attempt to learn Chinese, give up because of the sheer amount of work involved.
If you have a strong work ethic and are overall a hard worker that needs to learn how to write in Chinese or is just generally interested in the subject, make the attempt and be sure to stick with it and not give up right away. It is going to be very difficult to memorize the characters at first so be sure to anticipate that and remember that it will get easier once you become more familiar with the characters and how to construct proper sentences.
http://www.articlejoe.com/Article/Learning-How-to-Write-in-Chinese/29754
Learning Foreign Languages Online
In today’s competitive and evolving world, the importance of education has never been more important. People are now more aware of the continuing need to improve one’s self through adult learning. Due to factors such as time constraint, e-learning has quickly emerged as an alternative means of continuing education.
As globalization continues to be the trend these days, more and more people feel the need to learn at least one foreign language. Again, due to the fast-paced lives many lead today, online courses present a viable alternative to the traditional face to face, or classroom, language learning. The major advantage of learning foreign languages through e-learning is the convenience it presents to the learner. Materials can be made available anytime, anywhere. The learner can access modules at his own time and he work on his courses at his own pace.
Computer assisted language learning has been in existence for many years now. In fact, its roots can be traced back to the 1960s. This technique began with a simple drill and practice approach. As more pedagogical elements were introduced, computer assisted language learning evolved into a more interactive experience.
The question many people ask is just how effective is learning a foreign language online? The main difference between classroom learning and e-learning is the presence of a teacher. A good teacher recognizes the learning needs of the student. In addition to that, a good teacher recognizes the learning style of each individual student. He capitalizes on both factors and enhances learning through different techniques. Due to advances is many e-learning platforms, these factors have been taken into consideration. The learner’s needs and learning styles can now be dealt with accordingly.
Today’s e-learning platforms offer a wide range of approaches to suit each learner’s specific needs. Some platforms even make use of facilitators – human or otherwise – to encourage the student and enhance the learning process. When combined with the convenience of studying at one’s own pace, e-learning proves to be an effective way of learning a new language.
Studies show that more people prefer e-learning to the traditional classroom sessions. The flexibility the e-learning offers seems to be one of the major factors that students take into consideration. Some personalities react more positively to the online learning environment. One explanation is that the relative anonymity that this type of learning gives a student more confidence. Studies show that learning languages online seems to present a more relaxed learning atmosphere. It has been proven time and again that such a learning atmosphere does a lot in terms of enhancing the learning process. The student learns more and in a shorter span of time than normal. The student also tends to remember more of what he has learned.
Online foreign language learning also capitalizes on the amount and quality of information and resources that can be found on the Internet. E-learning programs take advantage of this situation, enhancing learning even more. So if you are seeking to learn a foreign language, whether for professional or personal reasons, online learning just might be the right choice for you.
http://www.articlejoe.com/Article/Learning-Foreign-Languages-Online/18273
As globalization continues to be the trend these days, more and more people feel the need to learn at least one foreign language. Again, due to the fast-paced lives many lead today, online courses present a viable alternative to the traditional face to face, or classroom, language learning. The major advantage of learning foreign languages through e-learning is the convenience it presents to the learner. Materials can be made available anytime, anywhere. The learner can access modules at his own time and he work on his courses at his own pace.
Computer assisted language learning has been in existence for many years now. In fact, its roots can be traced back to the 1960s. This technique began with a simple drill and practice approach. As more pedagogical elements were introduced, computer assisted language learning evolved into a more interactive experience.
The question many people ask is just how effective is learning a foreign language online? The main difference between classroom learning and e-learning is the presence of a teacher. A good teacher recognizes the learning needs of the student. In addition to that, a good teacher recognizes the learning style of each individual student. He capitalizes on both factors and enhances learning through different techniques. Due to advances is many e-learning platforms, these factors have been taken into consideration. The learner’s needs and learning styles can now be dealt with accordingly.
Today’s e-learning platforms offer a wide range of approaches to suit each learner’s specific needs. Some platforms even make use of facilitators – human or otherwise – to encourage the student and enhance the learning process. When combined with the convenience of studying at one’s own pace, e-learning proves to be an effective way of learning a new language.
Studies show that more people prefer e-learning to the traditional classroom sessions. The flexibility the e-learning offers seems to be one of the major factors that students take into consideration. Some personalities react more positively to the online learning environment. One explanation is that the relative anonymity that this type of learning gives a student more confidence. Studies show that learning languages online seems to present a more relaxed learning atmosphere. It has been proven time and again that such a learning atmosphere does a lot in terms of enhancing the learning process. The student learns more and in a shorter span of time than normal. The student also tends to remember more of what he has learned.
Online foreign language learning also capitalizes on the amount and quality of information and resources that can be found on the Internet. E-learning programs take advantage of this situation, enhancing learning even more. So if you are seeking to learn a foreign language, whether for professional or personal reasons, online learning just might be the right choice for you.
http://www.articlejoe.com/Article/Learning-Foreign-Languages-Online/18273
Egyptian Language
Written records of the ancient Egyptian language have been dated from about 3200 BC. Egyptian is part of the Afro-Asiatic group of languages and is related to Berber and Semitic (languages such as Arabic, Amharic and Hebrew). The language survived until the 5th century AD in the form of Demotic and until the Middle Ages in the form of Coptic. Thus it had a lifespan of over four millennia. Egyptian is one of the oldest recorded languages known.
The national language of modern day Egypt is Egyptian Arabic, which gradually replaced Egyptian and its descendant, the Coptic language, as the language of daily life in the centuries after Egypt was conquered by Arab Muslims. Coptic is still used as a liturgical language in the Coptic Church.
Development of the language
Scholars group the Egyptian language into six major chronological divisions:
Archaic Egyptian (before 2600 BC)
Old Egyptian (2600 BC – 2000 BC)
Middle Egyptian (2000 BC – 1300 BC)
Late Egyptian (1300 BC – 700 BC)
Demotic (seventh century BC – fifth century AD)
Coptic (fourth – fourteenth century AD)
It should be noted that Egyptian writing in the form of label and signs has been dated to 3200 BC. These early texts are generally lumped together under the term "Archaic Egyptian."
In 1999, Archaeology Magazine reported that the earliest Egyptian Glyphs date back to 3400 BC which "...challenge the commonly held belief that early logographs, pictographic symbols representing a specific place, object, or quantity, first evolved into more complex phonetic symbols in Mesopotamia."
Old Egyptian was spoken for some 500 years from 2600 BC onwards. Middle Egyptian was spoken from about 2000 BC for a further 700 years when Late Egyptian made its appearance; Middle Egyptian did, however, survive until the first few centuries AD as a written language, similar to the use of Latin during the Middle Ages and that of Classical Arabic today. Demotic Egyptian first appears about 650 BC and survived as a spoken language until fifth century AD. Coptic Egyptian appeared in the fourth century AD and survived as a living language until the sixteenth century AD, when European scholars traveled to Egypt to learn it from native speakers during the Renaissance. It probably survived in the Egyptian countryside as a spoken language for several centuries after that. The Bohairic dialect of Coptic is still used by the Egyptian Christian Churches.
Old, Middle, and Late Egyptian were all written using hieroglyphs and hieratic. Demotic was written using a script derived from hieratic; its appearance is vaguely similar to modern Arabic script and is also written from right to left (although the two are not related). Coptic is written using the Coptic alphabet, a modified form of the Greek alphabet with a number of symbols borrowed from Demotic for sounds that did not occur in Ancient Greek.
Arabic gradually replaced spoken Coptic after the Arabian invasion in the seventh century, though Arabic was the language of the Muslim political administration soon thereafter.
Structure of the language
Egyptian is a fairly typical Afro-Asiatic language. At the heart of Egyptian vocabulary is a root of three consonants. Sometimes there were only two, for example /r'/ "sun" (where the apostrophe represents a voiced pharyngeal fricative); others, such as /nfr/, which means beautiful; and some could be as large as five /sxdxd/ "be upside-down". Vowels and other consonants were then added to this root in order to derive words, in the same way as Arabic, Hebrew, and other Afro-Asiatic languages do today. However, we do not know what these vowels would have been, since like other Afro-Asiatic languages, Egyptian does not write vowels; hence "ankh" could represent either "life", "to live" or "living". In transcription, "a", "i" and "u" all represent consonants; for example, the name Tutankhamen was written in Egyptian "twt 'nkh ymn" (the apostrophe represents a voiced pharyngeal fricative). Experts have assigned generic sounds to these values as a matter of convenience; however, this artificial pronunciation has often been mistaken for actual pronunciation.
Phonologically, Egyptian contrasted bilabial, labiodental, alveolar, palatal, velar, uvular, pharyngeal and glottal consonants, in a distribution rather similar to that of Arabic.
Egyptian's basic word order is Verb Subject Object; where we would write "the man opens the door", Egyptians would say "opens the man the door" (wn s a3)
Regarding morphology, Egyptian uses the so-called status constructus construction to combine two or more nouns, more or less like any Semitic language. With this construction, the first noun is sometimes changed - e.g. final -h in feminine nouns becomes -t. Example: mlkt shba "The Queen of Saba", the original form of mlkt being mlkh. The early stages of Egyptian possessed no articles, no words for "the" or "a"; later forms used the words /p3/, /t3/ and /n3/ for this purpose (where 3 represents a glottal stop.) Egyptian uses two grammatical genders, masculine and feminine, similarly to Romance languages and Irish Gaelic; it also uses three grammatical numbers: like many other Afro-Asiatic languages, it contrasts singular, dual and plural forms. When saying something like "the man is red", the word "red" (dšrt in Egyptian) acts as a predicative verb.
http://www.articlejoe.com/Article/Egyptian-Language/18714
The national language of modern day Egypt is Egyptian Arabic, which gradually replaced Egyptian and its descendant, the Coptic language, as the language of daily life in the centuries after Egypt was conquered by Arab Muslims. Coptic is still used as a liturgical language in the Coptic Church.
Development of the language
Scholars group the Egyptian language into six major chronological divisions:
Archaic Egyptian (before 2600 BC)
Old Egyptian (2600 BC – 2000 BC)
Middle Egyptian (2000 BC – 1300 BC)
Late Egyptian (1300 BC – 700 BC)
Demotic (seventh century BC – fifth century AD)
Coptic (fourth – fourteenth century AD)
It should be noted that Egyptian writing in the form of label and signs has been dated to 3200 BC. These early texts are generally lumped together under the term "Archaic Egyptian."
In 1999, Archaeology Magazine reported that the earliest Egyptian Glyphs date back to 3400 BC which "...challenge the commonly held belief that early logographs, pictographic symbols representing a specific place, object, or quantity, first evolved into more complex phonetic symbols in Mesopotamia."
Old Egyptian was spoken for some 500 years from 2600 BC onwards. Middle Egyptian was spoken from about 2000 BC for a further 700 years when Late Egyptian made its appearance; Middle Egyptian did, however, survive until the first few centuries AD as a written language, similar to the use of Latin during the Middle Ages and that of Classical Arabic today. Demotic Egyptian first appears about 650 BC and survived as a spoken language until fifth century AD. Coptic Egyptian appeared in the fourth century AD and survived as a living language until the sixteenth century AD, when European scholars traveled to Egypt to learn it from native speakers during the Renaissance. It probably survived in the Egyptian countryside as a spoken language for several centuries after that. The Bohairic dialect of Coptic is still used by the Egyptian Christian Churches.
Old, Middle, and Late Egyptian were all written using hieroglyphs and hieratic. Demotic was written using a script derived from hieratic; its appearance is vaguely similar to modern Arabic script and is also written from right to left (although the two are not related). Coptic is written using the Coptic alphabet, a modified form of the Greek alphabet with a number of symbols borrowed from Demotic for sounds that did not occur in Ancient Greek.
Arabic gradually replaced spoken Coptic after the Arabian invasion in the seventh century, though Arabic was the language of the Muslim political administration soon thereafter.
Structure of the language
Egyptian is a fairly typical Afro-Asiatic language. At the heart of Egyptian vocabulary is a root of three consonants. Sometimes there were only two, for example /r'/ "sun" (where the apostrophe represents a voiced pharyngeal fricative); others, such as /nfr/, which means beautiful; and some could be as large as five /sxdxd/ "be upside-down". Vowels and other consonants were then added to this root in order to derive words, in the same way as Arabic, Hebrew, and other Afro-Asiatic languages do today. However, we do not know what these vowels would have been, since like other Afro-Asiatic languages, Egyptian does not write vowels; hence "ankh" could represent either "life", "to live" or "living". In transcription, "a", "i" and "u" all represent consonants; for example, the name Tutankhamen was written in Egyptian "twt 'nkh ymn" (the apostrophe represents a voiced pharyngeal fricative). Experts have assigned generic sounds to these values as a matter of convenience; however, this artificial pronunciation has often been mistaken for actual pronunciation.
Phonologically, Egyptian contrasted bilabial, labiodental, alveolar, palatal, velar, uvular, pharyngeal and glottal consonants, in a distribution rather similar to that of Arabic.
Egyptian's basic word order is Verb Subject Object; where we would write "the man opens the door", Egyptians would say "opens the man the door" (wn s a3)
Regarding morphology, Egyptian uses the so-called status constructus construction to combine two or more nouns, more or less like any Semitic language. With this construction, the first noun is sometimes changed - e.g. final -h in feminine nouns becomes -t. Example: mlkt shba "The Queen of Saba", the original form of mlkt being mlkh. The early stages of Egyptian possessed no articles, no words for "the" or "a"; later forms used the words /p3/, /t3/ and /n3/ for this purpose (where 3 represents a glottal stop.) Egyptian uses two grammatical genders, masculine and feminine, similarly to Romance languages and Irish Gaelic; it also uses three grammatical numbers: like many other Afro-Asiatic languages, it contrasts singular, dual and plural forms. When saying something like "the man is red", the word "red" (dšrt in Egyptian) acts as a predicative verb.
http://www.articlejoe.com/Article/Egyptian-Language/18714
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