language+

[Guest guest]

Dear Todd and list

:

 

We have already decided as a community that it will not be in the masters program. I have worked for three schools and there is zero impetus to change this.

 

 

Marco:

 

In this case it is probably more appropriate to say:

 

a collective of individuals whom due to pre set prejudices and fairs as well as assumptions have decided that language+ i.e. all is ramifications, is ignorable. Since a more fuller picture of the issue at large is now recently becoming more visible and accessible and as such out come would probably different if an informed decision was to be the arbitrator.

 

--------------

This part is not directed at Todd in-particuliar

 

I see this as a grave injustice and an example of the different non Chinese medical curricula forces at play.

 

I do not speak Chinese but since reading materials of those that do I aim to try to learn as a life long endeavour. This by no means that I think I will become Chinese such matters have never been in questions (Not directed at any one, just me ranting on...).

 

However the Chines-ness and I would say the same for Korea, Vietnam and Taiwan and Japan is self evident. Just like the Occidental is self evidence in Western medicine. There is nothing inherently bad with that in effect it is what gives the two mention medical paradigm(s) its strengths,which can bee seen as its weaknesses as well.

 

However that we can have "our" medicine I doubt, we can as mediators of an body of knowledge add and subtract (say ignore language+) flavours, and indeed one day there may be a distinguishable

USA-ness and so forth and it would be but continuing the living history of the bellowed Chinese medicine entity(s). And, yes I am intrigue and feel that there are on the list many knowledgeable

non-Chinese literate people. (i.e. illiterate in Chinese which strictly speaking is appropriately used according to context).

 

What Robert elaborated on with regard to Japan is immensely interesting.

 

How is Oriental medicine being utilised in Japan say compare to Korea, Vietnam, how was it transmitted in the first place how is it being re-transmitted and distinguishable Japan-ness flavours, which in fact are also strongly influence by non Chinese medical curricula i.e. out side the actual scope of Chinese medicine e.g. Cultural identity and values, politics, social-historical resonates and more.

 

WHO designates that only four Countries in the world practice Integrated Medicine, China, The two Koreas and Vietnam. Japan is considered to be practising an inclusive system just like USA is considered to do. Hence as always studies and parameters are just that since the fluidity of Oriental medicine in Japan is surely different and more advance overall then say USA (I do not mean exclusively and as to individual practitioners there are as always good and lesser so any where in the world).

 

WHO also suspects that those countries that practise an inclusive system can be suspected to evolve (there termelogy not mind) into Integrated system.

 

Hence non-Asian countries do them self a favour in observing and learning from the whole Asian experiencing (since it is a constant motion), In turn a country like Guatemala needs to observe and learn from other non Asians countries say USA that is by far more elaborate and advance then the current situation in Guatemala.

 

Hence the fascinating letters of Robert indeed deserves more attention.

 

 

What can be concluded is that what started of the thread about language+ this time round (the statement so "matter of factly" uttered, apparently at the conference of PCOM) is once scrutinised an wrongfully interpretation of a very complex matter such as the transmission of Medicine from one culture to another.

 

By the way those of you whom have possibility in attending the following lecture would highly recommend it:

 

 

Integration of Western and Traditional Medicine:

WHO Perspectives

Thursday 5 December, 2002

5:30pm – 7:00pm

 

More info: http://www.cmrb.vic.gov.au/current-news/wholecture.html

 

 

 

---:

 

At least those of us who teach should have a basic understanding (again, what would that be?).

 

Marco:

 

great, below is info from: CHINESE MEDICINE REGISTRATION BOARD Victoria Australia its is a great starting point.

 

http://www.cmrb.vic.gov.au/registration/courseappglinesfinalaugust.pdf

 

(page46)

 

This part provides a synopsis and a list of main learning outcomes for both core and

recommended areas of study in a Chinese medicine program.

2.3.1 Theoretical Paradigm

a. Terminology for

Synopsis

This area of study aims to introduce students to the Chinese language with particular

reference to the Chinese terms used in CM. It provides an overview of the Chinese

language and specific instruction in the reading, writing and pronunciation of common

terms used in CM. The use of the Pin Yin system of romanisation is examined in

detail, to enable students to accurately spell and pronounce common CM terms they

will encounter in their study of CM. The reading and writing of basic Chinese

characters should be introduced to enable students to write common characters and

recognise common terms used in CM. Students should learn to use a Chinese-

English Pin Yin dictionary of terminology.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this area of study, students should be able to:

• briefly outline the history, development and structure of the Chinese language;

• demonstrate the use of the Pin Yin system of romanisation in the writing of the

main terms used in CM;

• demonstrate the writing of simple Chinese characters used in the practice of CM;

• demonstrate the pronunciation of terms commonly used in CM.

• recognise and read simple Chinese characters relevant to the practice of CM; and

• demonstrate the use of a Chinese-English Pin Yin terminology

dictionary.

 

With all this in mind sorry to ask you.

any updates on a possible internet course of Chinese medical language+ ?

Marco

[Guest guest]

Marco, and all,

>

> We have already decided as a community that it will not be in the

masters program. I have worked for three schools and there is zero

impetus to change this.

>

>

> Marco:

>

> In this case it is probably more appropriate to say:

>

> a collective of individuals whom due to pre set prejudices and

fairs as well as assumptions have decided that language+ i.e. all is

ramifications, is ignorable. Since a more fuller picture of the

issue at large is now recently becoming more visible and accessible

and as such out come would probably different if an informed

decision was to be the arbitrator.

 

It's a very emotional issue as it addresses

issues of competence, knowlege, self-respect

and so on. I believe that as more and more

people accept the challenge, the awareness

will grow that it is both a good an necessary

thing for people to know how to understand

Chinese medical language on its own terms.

 

I think the whole situation is quite fluid

and dynamic. And I think it all revolves

around what goes on in individuals' minds.

 

Ken

[Guest guest]

Dear ken and list,

 

Ken:

 

It's a very emotional issue as it addressesissues of competence, knowlege, self-respectand so on. I believe that as more and morepeople accept the challenge, the awarenesswill grow that it is both a good an necessarything for people to know how to understandChinese medical language on its own terms.

Marco:

 

In this I certainly agree with Ken and if my statement was to clumsy worded (as always), I apologise here and now.

 

Simply put if there had been as much accessible information as is today and more no doubt will appear the decision to not include certain language+ studies would probably be different:

 

 

 

Below is something interesting I found at http://hanbang114.co.kr/hanbang/dic/dic-2.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold Prize Winner, Asia-Pacific Publishers' Association

 

 

 

Price: U$280 (includes shipping and handling) Delivery: within 10 days after remittanceOriental Medicine Dictionary in English , Chinese, and KoreanThe progress of science and technology has accelerated because of frequent international academic exchanges. In particular,Oriental medicine has independently established its own set of theories, continuously building up rich clinical experiences. To satisfy increasing demands for Oriental medicine, we have compiled Korea's first Oriental medicine dictionary. It provides explanations in English, Chinese, and. Korean

 

 

 

 

 

The spirit of traditional Korean medicine lives on after 5,000 years of history. It is now facing a new century; thus, we developed the Oriental Medicine dictionary to serve as the foundation for the field of oriental medicine and contribute to its further growth. The field is rapidly gaining worldwide interest. It is expected to emerge as a new paradigm that will surpass even that of Western medicine, enhancing human beings' quality of life and extending the lifespan in the 21st century's life science era.To date, never before has there been a dictionary on traditional Korean medicine published in three languages. Thus, this dictionary will definitely make a significant contribution to the process of developing the oriental medicine into a global medicine field. Data collection both here and abroad took ten years. Professors Gwang Jin and Jeong Nam from China’s Jangchun Center, Dean Chan Gil Jeong of the Saemyung University in Korea, and other professors all contributed to make this dictionary possible, which includes data on the basic theories of Oriental medicine, clinical experiences, acupuncture, moxibustion, medicine, preventive medicinal practices, doctors, literatures, Chiropractic, massage, energy control("Qigong"), harmonious combination of medicine and food to cure disease etc.. Likewise, it is classified into 20 areas of modern medicine ranging from basic medicine, surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, gynecology, ophthalmology, acupuncture and moxibustion, to energy control.This dictionary includes over 9,000 medicinal terms and definitions, as well as 20 categories such as gauge, health care, energy control, and clinical studies used in each area. Experts ensured the effective selection and accuracy of interpretation of the dictionary items. Moreover, the reliable edition and research of the experts guarantee the accuracy of the Chinese and English versions. While translation has been rendered difficult by the unique characteristics of Oriental medicine's theoretical system, the experts' meticulous research and edition added to the credibility of the dictionary. Korean explanation is provided in each item, along with Chinese and English explanations. Likewise, indices in English, Chinese, and Korean are included to ensure the world-class quality of this Oriental Medicine dictionary.

 

 

 

Does any one have access to this book? I Like the idea that with years to come maybe more learning and reflections can be done from other primary sources on Oriental medicine apart from China.

 

My interest in Korean Oriental medicine has been fuelled by James "particularities" (thanks)...

 

 

Also, http://www.biol.tsukuba.ac.jp/~macer/EJ63/EJ63J.html

 

Does any one know if this paper has by any chance been published on the internet in it entirety?

 

CONCEPTS IN TRADITIONAL KOREAN MEDICINE - Choi Jongduck, Institute of Environment and Natural Philosophy, Seoul, Korea

The field of medical ethics has been developing rapidly during the past ten years. The important debate thus far has been concerned with the judgment behavior in the medical praxis. But this essay will concentrate on feature of the social spectrum for traditional Korean medicine. Particular attention will be paid to the discord between Western scientific thinking and traditional medicine.

It is of course dangerous to view the situation of Korean medical culture through solely traditional spectacles. During the colonial period of Japanese hegemony, Japan carried out an obliteration policy against Korean traditional medicine. And until the 1970's traditional Korean medicine was evaluated as poor and 'unscientific' owing to the industrialization policy in Korea. Korea is now fully industrialized, and the flagpole of rigid 'scientific' criteria has penetrated the social horizon. However, even presently the beliefs of traditional medicine are honoured in Korea as a great exponent of our culture and moral tradition.

Traditional Korean medical thought differs from modern western thinking in a crucial way. The Korean view of relatedness between universe and human is considered in terms of concepts that have no real western parallel, although misleading resemblances are inevitably seized on by the ill-informed. The use of technical terms such as yin-yang and chi by Korean medical specialists may differ significantly from western substance-philosophy.

The dictionary definition of the word kan as 'liver' may be dangerously misleading in a modern context as opposed to an ordinary one; the names of things recognized as physical organs are used in Korean medicine to refer to functional systems of which the liver is merely the physical substrate. In another example the medical meanings of the heart in Korean traditional medicine have medical variations over 8 functions. This does not, however, mean that Koreans were so bad at anatomy that we imagined an organ where there as none, rather we were not really talking in a western anatomical sense.

The situation is the same in the concept of life. The medical criteria of death are mainly the cessation of the heart-beat or breathing. But in the traditional Korean medicine death means that chi (life energy), chung (organic power) or shun (holistic organizer) is choked or disperse (not exhausted). Therefore we can recognize that the meaning of life can be founded in the traditional concepts such as chi, chung, and shun.

These traditional concepts unfortunately cannot be submissive to the terminology of western science. Especially, the meaning of chi is not static, but continuous, non-loci, inter-organistic. So the life concept in the traditional medicine is not bounded by the life of one man, but can be extent over the inter-organistic social life. This meaning of life is known as 'global life' in Korean (Hoeik Chang, Science and Metascience, Seoul, 1989). According to chi-philosophy the medical explanation for life is inevitably linked with the social and traditional philosophical worldview.

On the other hand, during the past 15 years he New Age science movement has enhanced the status of eastern traditional medicine, but social prejudice from this enhancement has confused the medicine with mysticism. For three reasons: i) industrialization, ii) concept-difference between East and West, iii) misunderstanding of western science, iv) influence of the New Age science movement (or 'new science'), the meaning of life can be i) a social individualism owing to the particular life, ii) self-preservation. When we understand the inter-organistic life (or global life) along with the particular life, we can then understand properly traditional Eastern medicine

 

Finally how can I most optimally utilise the computer and internet medium to learn Chinese (ideally medical and related influences there of, Chinese with regard to Taoism and so forth...)

Which programs if any do people recommend, any web sites that deals with above matter.

Please respond because I am a computer illiterate person and have little imagination as to how to utilise a computer.

Marco

[Guest guest]

I will become Chinese such matters have never been in questions

>>>Not true. The point was made that if we do not develop deep understanding of language and culture we would not get it

Alon