Israel Date Update

We have a date!
For the trip to Israel.
Don't get too excited,
its a year away.

But, if anticipation and planning make the trip better, we will have an awesome trip! And it will be one of the best seminary graduation gifts ever. A trip to the Holy Land.

Thankfully, this means that I have time to fundraise, so watch out.
This means, I have time to learn some modern Hebrew, so listen up.
This means, I have time to figure out what and how I am going to eat, so get ready to drool.

We are going to have quite the anticipatory year! Its going to involve nice cards, cool languages, and delicious food.
Shalom!

Ngram Fun!

I read an interesting article for a book fan today. It is about how the expression in literature has decreased in the last century. Even more so because it reminded me of the Google Books Ngram Viewer which is a lot of fun to play around with.
Like this. The usage of Yoda and sonic in English literature since the 1800s. Obviously sonic wins out because it is a adjective.
However, if we just look at where it is used as a noun, we get this. Sonic the Hedgehog isn't as well used as Yoda (though then I realized I was using sonic and not Sonic, so I adjusted for that and got this. Darn). I really wonder what the discussion about Yoda around 1910 was...

Also interesting that despite the rise of the nones in religion talk, the use of the word atheism has gone down since 1800.
For my Latro, Big Data is definitely on the rise. For some of my classmates, women modifying priest, being talked about in literature since the 1800s. Boo-yah! And lunch is on the rise!

[And here is where I sneakily 'accidentally' turn off my internet because otherwise I will be playing on Ngrams all night... which doesn't win out against day...]

Programming Ancient Languages

For part of my Lenten practice, I am going to be reading and reflecting on a science article each day. Hopefully they will all end up here. Today is Ash Wednesday and the first day of Lent. Today's article was:
Computerized 'Rosetta Stone' Reconstructs Ancient Languages

The article is pretty cool for someone who loves languages. In Ancient Hebrew class we sometimes talk about Ugaric and the way that Ugaric studies have helped understand some of the rare ancient Hebrew words in the Torah that were previously unknown. In liturgics we did talk about how in serious religious situations, people usually go back to the older, more archaic language/vocabulary to express time honored emotions. Not only are our abilities to program a computer to find aspects and sound connections impressive, but the idea that ancient languages are based on patterns which we still use today is kind of impressive. Human brains obviously have some traits that do follow through despite generations upon generations of small changes.
This is the kind of thing I would do more if I had more time in my life, study ancient languages. Along with study ancient mathematics. The article has an exception for Latin, which I am surprised about. What patterns does Latin not follow?
Humans create their own meanings and understandings through their symbols, and language is the principle vehicle for sharing those. Emotions, patterns, and music may be better vehicles, but language is probably the most used. And to think we are always surprised when what we find written are normal things about business and politics and religion. We have our patterns. If only we could change those patterns to reflect the joy and love we feel instead of the pain and hurt.
I wonder if they have or will send something like Ancient Hebrew through such a program. I wonder if we have missed stuff in our nuanced skilled language reconstructions. Just in taking Hebrew class, I have learned new things about the Torah which could change the way most Christians view the bible and their theology. Just because we like our worldview, doesn't mean its the best.