The Dart Maker Blog

Though it is an ancient art, Asian Lacquer paintings have only regained their prominence on the world art scene in the last decade, as the two main producers of the unique art - Vietnam and Burma - have just recently opened up to tourism and begun exhibiting their highly skilled artists.

While distinct from one another, Vietnamese and Burmese Lacquer techniques are very old. In Vietnam, Lacquer arts have been found in tombs dating back more than 2,300 years while ancient inscriptions around the Burmese city Bagan have shown Lacquer dates back in that part of Asia to at least the 11th century.

Laquer painting is a much more involved process than the traditional oil or watercolor form. Lacquer painters must use sap from Lacquer trees to hold a cloth covering onto their wooden canvass. They paint the outlines of the picture in hot lacquer and apply the colors one layer at a time, letting each dry out before the next is applied. Modern lacquer painters in Vietnam have learned to infuse substances like crushed egg shells, gold foil, and plants into their artwork, allowing for a unique expression of creativity.

However in Burma, infusions of gold foil were already found in lacquerware centuries ago, though they were usually reserved for royal paintings and religious art. Other materials such as animal bone, colored glass, and bamboo are used depending on where the lacquer designs are applied to. Colored glass is infused into lacquer paintings on thrones, Buddhist images, and caskets, among others. Bamboo, on the other hand, is infused to lacquer paintings which decorate vases, tables, chairs, and chests.

Lacquer painting is as much a part of the ancient city of Bagan as are the more famous thousands of pagodas which cover travel brochures for Burma. For centuries, a majority of people in Bagan have been involved in lacquer ware, passing the tradition down through the years. Currently there is a government-sponsored institute in Bagan dedicated to the recruitment and training of lacquerware artists and the demand for Burmese and Vietnamese laquerware among art circles in the West continues to rise.

Knowing more than one language in today’s world is not so unusual. With cultural barriers coming down, and many people living in and visiting non-native countries, it makes sense to have at least a basic knowledge of one or more languages other than your native tongue. It has never been easier than it is today to learn a foreign language. Taking a foreign language course online is a convenient and even speedy way to learn another tongue for work, for travel, or for your own personal enrichment.

When you decide that you want to learn a foreign language online, you have several options available to you. You can enroll in an online college or University language program, and earn your degree in the foreign language of your choosing. If time is a factor, you can choose from many accelerated language programs offered online. If you choose to receive a degree in a foreign language, you will come away not only with a college education, but you will more than likely come away being fluent in the language you studied, both written and conversationally. This has many advantages for you career-wise. An accelerated course will probably give you a good basic foundation of a foreign language, which will be helpful in business-related travels.

The advantages of learning a foreign language for your career are numerous. Being fluent in a language like French, Spanish, or German will allow you to communicate with your peers and associates abroad, eliminating the need for a translator. Also, if your job demands that you be relocated abroad, learning the native tongue of the country to which you are transferring will ease your transition there. You will find the cultural differences far less stressful if you are able to understand what people around you are saying! In addition, learning a foreign language opens up whole new career paths for you. If you become fluent in one or more languages, you have the opportunity to be certified as a foreign language translator. This challenging career opportunity requires you to be fluent in one or more language, and to be knowledgeable in another industry, such as law, healthcare professions, or business. Working as a translator, you would be bridging the gap between English and non-English speaking associates by converting documents of all types so that each party is able to understand them. In this position, you can work full-time for a larger firm, or you can strike out on your own as a freelance translator, and make your own work schedule and workload.
If you have plans to travel extensively to one or more countries, consider taking accelerated foreign language courses online. By learning the basics of a foreign language, you show cultural sensitivity by learning to communicate with locals in their native tongue. You won’t look like a typical tourist by carrying around a book, and you will be able to fully immerse yourself in the culture of the country you are visiting. Your travels will be more enjoyable and enriching. Leaving your comfort zone and learning another language is an ideal way to educate and improve yourself.

There are many advantages to learning a foreign language online. Whether you decide to enroll in a degree program or simply take a few accelerated courses, you will find that doing so online is very convenient. Often, courses are completed at your own pace, with no set class times. All work is submitted online, and you will find many opportunities to interact with instructors and peers. Additionally, if you are learning a foreign language for your job, many employers are willing to pay the tuition and fees for courses taken in relation to work.
So, whether you are being transferred to a new job abroad and you need to learn the native tongue or you are making plans to travel to another country in the future and want to be able to ask where the bathroom is in their language, learning a foreign language online is convenient and easy. Taking the time to learn a foreign language can ease the transition for you in a new position abroad, help you immerse yourself into an interesting new culture, and even provide you with new and interesting career opportunities.

Find the essential information on where and how to learn a new or second language at Foreign Language Online

John is a director of numerous Internet companies and is a published author. Many articles have been produced on a variety of subjects with excellent content and depth. All his articles may be reproduced provided that an active link is included to www.foreign-languages-school.com

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