Omniglot - the blog

Language quiz

Simon on 21 Oct 2007

Language and Music and Quiz questions | Comments (16)

16 Responses to “Language quiz”

1. TJ on 21 Oct 2007 at 7:44 pm #

   The style seems like the one used by the aboriginis of Australia … but the language, sounds a bit like European to me … anyway I’m not experienced with languages of natives of Australia and didn’t hear one before!

2. Dr. C.S. Lewis-Barrie, Ph.D. on 21 Oct 2007 at 8:06 pm #

   That’s throat-singing, though in this example the singer only harmonicizes for a few brief seconds. Perhaps Tuvan.

3. Siäch on 21 Oct 2007 at 8:35 pm #

   It’s throat singing from Tuva. The Tuvan language it self is related to the Turkic languages and is mainly spoken in the Russian Republik of Tuva. I think I’ve also recognized the voice of the singer. His name is Kongar-ol Ondar.

4. suchosch on 21 Oct 2007 at 8:37 pm #

   I think it’s Mongolian throat singing. My first burned CD was recording of Altai Hangai :)

5. Ben on 21 Oct 2007 at 11:08 pm #

   I’d say Tuvan, probably the Khoomei (specific) style.

   I’m actually an amateur throatsinger myself. It’s a good clip.

   -Ben

6. TJ on 22 Oct 2007 at 5:10 am #

   Just a question here … do you guys talk about Tuva the island in the pacific? is it the same as Tuva the russian republic?? or I’m mixing stuff here? (I guess I am!!!)

7. d.m.falk on 22 Oct 2007 at 10:40 am #

   It is Tuvan, it is Ondar singing in khoomei style… :) Could you make that any easier? ;)

   d.m.f.
   (Who likes khoomei…)

8. d.m.falk on 22 Oct 2007 at 10:41 am #

   TJ: You’re thinking Suva, Fiji, aren’t you. There’s also the island country of Tuvalu as well.

   d.m.f.

9. Simon on 22 Oct 2007 at 1:54 pm #

   The answer is indeed Tuvan, a Turkic language spoken in parts of Siberia, and this is an example of throat singing or xөөмей (khoomei), which is also known as overtone chanting or harmonic singing. This recording comes from a group of Tuvan throat singers called Chirgilchin.

10. pittmirg on 22 Oct 2007 at 2:03 pm #

    WMP told me it’s a song of a band called Chirgilchin, and Wikipedia told me that the band is Tuvan. So I presume the language is Tuvan ;)

11. pittmirg on 22 Oct 2007 at 2:04 pm #

    Simon, I hadn’t refreshed the page so I didn’t notice your answer.

12. TJ on 22 Oct 2007 at 3:01 pm #

    d.m.falk: oh yes…I mixed up with Tuvalu! :) thanks for the refreshment! :)

13. Travis on 22 Oct 2007 at 11:19 pm #

    TJ… your website is fantastic. The special effects are a great touch in the letters and numbers section. I also visited your reading of the Babel text. It’s a gorgeous language to listen to, and the writing is equal to the speech. I bookmarked your site on my computer as the detailed grammar and vocabulary pages will take more than a casual visit. SidQra luka

14. TJ on 23 Oct 2007 at 5:17 am #

    Oh thank you! :) I’m flattered! :)

    I will also update Babel page when I have time for this! :)

    Mabqúl :)

15. TJ on 23 Oct 2007 at 5:21 am #

    Oh talking about my page? Yours is more than awesome! :)

16. d.m.falk on 23 Oct 2007 at 8:16 pm #

    Just for what it’s worth, if old stamps are any indication, Tuvan was at one time written in the traditional Mongolian script.

    d.m.f.