Unutterably Silly Quiz

[Kumabjorn]

Tonga? I'm just throwing darts in the dark here.

[Shayne Parkinson]

Not Tonga, but it *is* an island nation.

[Kumabjorn]

They are all island nations.
Could it be something like Vanatu or Tuvalu?

[Shayne Parkinson]

1. As longtime quiz thread visitors may recall, the country with the highest total number of languages is Papua New Guinea. But what country has the highest number of languages per capita? (1 point) - Vanuatu. Kumabjorn, 1 point
Vanuatu has over 100 local languages, and a population of c. 250,000

2. What are Tok Pisin and Bislama? (1 point) - Pidgin languages. Stitchawl, 1 point.

3. What country is each associated with? (2 points)
Clue: a chance of an easy two points, as both countries have already been mentioned. You just have to match each one to its own pidgin.

4. What historical event is considered one of the main causes in their origin? (1 point)
Clue: Australia was involved.

[Shayne Parkinson]

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

They are all island nations.
Could it be something like Vanatu or Tuvalu?

Ah, you got in as I was posting! Vanuatu is correct - well done!

We were there in July, and had the most wonderful time, snorkeling and kayaking and just relaxing under the palm trees.

[Kumabjorn]

Originally Posted by Shayne Parkinson

Ah, you got in as I was posting! Vanuatu is correct - well done!

No, not well done. Just a wild shot in the dark.
Over 100 local languages??
I didn't Think there lived 100 people on the Island.

[Bookpossum]

I feel I should make an effort on No 4 - national honour at stake and all that. But I'm stumped unless it's something that was developed by the various explorers in order to communicate with various language groups of people they came across.

I believe that most Aboriginal clans spoke a number of languages, ie their own and those of neighbouring tribes with whom they traded, intermarried, etc, so I don't think it was an invention of Aboriginal people for talking among themselves.

[Shayne Parkinson]

I wouldn't want to put you on the spot, Bookpossum. I knew only a very little about this myself before visiting Vanuatu, in particular its National Museum.

This happened in the 19th century. It's not a proud event in history.

[Bookpossum]

The "blackbirding"? Abduction of people from the islands to be slave labour in the sugar cane fields?

(We have plenty to be ashamed of, sad to say.)

[Shayne Parkinson]

Originally Posted by Bookpossum

The "blackbirding"? Abduction of people from the islands to be slave labour in the sugar cane fields?

You have it, Bookpossum. Yes, that dark event encouraged the development of Bislama, Tok Pisin, and other pidgin languages when people from different areas were pushed together and had a need for a mutually understandable language in an unfamiliar place.

A little on blackbirding: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackbirding

I've more or less given the answer to Question 3 already, but to keep things proper: Tok Pisin is from Papua New Guinea, Bislama from Vanuatu.

I declare Bookpossum, Kumabjorn and Stitchawl to be jointly nambawan (say it aloud and the meaning in Bislama should be clear), so whichever of you would like to pose the next question, please go ahead.

Thanks for playing, everyone!

[Stitchawl]

I'll post a quickie that will require good guesswork only;
'What is the earliest recorded evidence of the sport of Fencing?' (i.e. using masks for protection, and blunted points on the weapons.)


Stitchawl

[Bookpossum]

Well, it's got to be when metal swords had been invented. I'll say Bronze Age Greece. And that probably means Homer?

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by Bookpossum

Well, it's got to be when metal swords had been invented. I'll say Bronze Age Greece. And that probably means Homer?

Nope! Good guesswork though.


Stitchawl

[poohbear_nc]

Painting on an Egyptian tomb wall?

[Kumabjorn]

I believe kendo is mentioned in the Manyoshu.