Cultural capital, according to Shuimo, means all the culturally valuable resources a language has at its disposal, especially the availability and abundance of literature, historical documents, philosophical writings!
So here is the standing list of all the major languages of the world in terms of cultural capital, with a little explanation!
No1 Chinese, the doubtless winner!
Just imagine China's thousands of years of resplendent history with galaxies of literary, poetic talents woven into its rich cultural tapestry!
Even a heavyweight lifting Olympic champion wud physically humble before the weight of old Chinese cultural capital alone! Then even the most profoundly pedantic in the world has to sigh before the profundity and depths of Chinese culture!
No 2 English
Shuimo was at one moment considering whether English, the de facto lengua franc now, should share the top place with Chinese. But then given that English has a far shorter history and far less cultural heritage than Chinese, it has to be satified with second place! US/UK does have lots to boast in recent modern history!
No 3 French
Given France has given births to a number of famed writers and thinkers, French holds lots of good cards in its hands!
No 4 Russian
Russian literature is quite a spectacle! But then good Russian thinkers are sorely scarce!
No 5 German
German seems to be in its element only when modern muddy philosophy is mentioned!
German literature is almost non-existent except some writings by Goethe.
No 6 Arabic
Quran alone is enough to put Arabic in the map!
No 7 Spanish
Don Quixote has always seemed to be all that Spanish could boast having?! Perhaps with some addition by Latin American writers?
No 8 Italian
Only Dante comes to mind!
The rest of the languages of the world is almost nil if culturl capital can be spoken of them, thus can be effectively ignored!
Dispute is expected, but you must give reasons!
So here is the standing list of all the major languages of the world in terms of cultural capital, with a little explanation!
No1 Chinese, the doubtless winner!
Just imagine China's thousands of years of resplendent history with galaxies of literary, poetic talents woven into its rich cultural tapestry!
Even a heavyweight lifting Olympic champion wud physically humble before the weight of old Chinese cultural capital alone! Then even the most profoundly pedantic in the world has to sigh before the profundity and depths of Chinese culture!
No 2 English
Shuimo was at one moment considering whether English, the de facto lengua franc now, should share the top place with Chinese. But then given that English has a far shorter history and far less cultural heritage than Chinese, it has to be satified with second place! US/UK does have lots to boast in recent modern history!
No 3 French
Given France has given births to a number of famed writers and thinkers, French holds lots of good cards in its hands!
No 4 Russian
Russian literature is quite a spectacle! But then good Russian thinkers are sorely scarce!
No 5 German
German seems to be in its element only when modern muddy philosophy is mentioned!
German literature is almost non-existent except some writings by Goethe.
No 6 Arabic
Quran alone is enough to put Arabic in the map!
No 7 Spanish
Don Quixote has always seemed to be all that Spanish could boast having?! Perhaps with some addition by Latin American writers?
No 8 Italian
Only Dante comes to mind!
The rest of the languages of the world is almost nil if culturl capital can be spoken of them, thus can be effectively ignored!
Dispute is expected, but you must give reasons!