Re: HGN: Hakka Origin (fwd)

[sllee <sllee@mail.asiawind.com>]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 20 Sep 1996 08:32:46 -0400
From: teoh@cs.utk.edu
To: sllee@infinet.com
Subject: Re: HGN: Hakka Origin 

>From kaihsu@ugcs.caltech.edu Mon Sep 16 14:46:01 1996
From: Kai-hsu Tai <kaihsu@ugcs.caltech.edu>
Subject: Re: HGN: Hakka Origin

I totally agree with you on your points of belief.  However, your web
page showed a quite different view and was, if you allow me, heavily
biased to argue that Hakka are ALL Han.  Please try to review the page
and present a more balanced view.

I am also confused about the "Khan > Han" argument.  It does not quite
make sense at LIU, Bang's time, judging from the historical evidence we
have.

Nevertheless, if there is genetic evidence, please present them as is,
no matter how much you dislike the researcher's interpretation, if any.
Your interpreting comment on the genetic evidence is way too heavy and
you presented zero genetic evidence either way.

The Hakka culture and other cultures nearby shaped what we call Han
today and what we call China today.  That is of course not questionable.
But please also note that, in the past, things like "China", "borders",
"nation", "empire/state", "ethnic group", "Han", etc., is very different
from what we understand in the modern world.  Most of these words may
make sense today, but at some marginal situation, it is not so clear.  I
can't pinpoint where I feel uncomfortable reading these words off your
homepage, but I sure do feel uneasy.

Pragmatically speaking, I think the origin is not the most important
thing in Hakka development.  What is important is how we should empower
the modern Hakka people so that they can use their mother tongue to
speak, to write, and to excel as proud Hakka individuals.  I hope the
Truth will reveal itself, and may the power from God descend upon us.
-- 
hlo: TE3, Khai2-su7 | hak: TAI4, Khai3-si4
http://nanigani.caltech.edu