The Tamil representation of which is: சீனா which looks similar to the word SIVA written as சிவா?
2006-09-26 22:19:16 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
I'm not sure what you are getting at here...
The letter ச can represent 2 different sounds in Tamil - Sa and Cha
In the word for china it is Ch: சீனா pronounced Cheenaa
In the word for Siva it is S: சிவா pronounced Sivaa
i.e. apart from the difference in the pronunciation of ச there is also a difference in the length the attached vowel (long in cheenaa, short in Siva).
Also - the similarity of the 2 words is entirely coincidental. The word for sugar (Cheenee சீனீ) is closer to China than Siva is.
Superficial similarity does not necessarily imply an etymological association.
2006-09-27 19:42:16 · answer #1 · answered by the last ninja 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually, the English word "China" comes from the very first dynasty that unified the various states in the Yellow River basin under one emperor in the year 221BC. The name of the dynasty was Qin- pronounced "Chin". (Making it CHIN + A) The French word for China, or "Chine" is comes alot closer to the actual pronunciation of the reign. To Chinese people, however the name of their country will always be "Zhongguo", meaning "Middle, or Central country". Hope this helps!
Jen
2006-09-27 07:22:28 · answer #2 · answered by Qin_ai_de 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ahh Ch-in-gá!!!
2006-09-27 05:21:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I pronounce it as "chai-nah".
2006-09-27 05:29:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋