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Old 11-03-2005, 01:36 AM   #4 (permalink)
stingc
Psycho
 
Location: PA
While English is primarily a Germanic language, it is also heavily influenced by French. In any case, I'm still having a hard time seeing how the Germans and English were so much more warlike than everyone else (except in the last century!). Taking into account everyone's abiity to wage war against their neighbors, the rest of Europe seems to have been just as interested in conquest throughout history. And China and Japan have rarely been at peace either. Maybe some examples would help.

I agree that eastern nations have historically looked on war a little differently than the west, but I think this is mainly due to a different senses of duty, individuality, and fear of death. I would argue that western soldiers actually go further to justify their wars by making up 'noble causes' than easterners generally do. More precisely, westerners tend to use concrete (if misguided) idealogical reasoning, while perhaps a simple sense of honor and duty is (was?) often enough in the east.

And I think America takes a more violent approach to world affairs because it can afford to. It's easy to threaten people when they can't reasonably threaten you back. Pretty much all superpowers throughout history have operated in the same way. The US is actually very benign in comparison I think. But then technology has quickly changed what's acceptable and what isn't.

Going back to the main topic, I doubt language is a major component of any culture's aggressive tendencies. I'd be more inclined to believe that connections exist to the various types of intellectual creativity. I'd be very interested in seeing any solid research that might exist though.
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