On historical Hokkien

Some time back, someone sent me this. Thought I'll share it here, with the caveat that I am unable to verify the claims made below:

Ancient Imperial Language of China – 2,000 Years Ago

How Did it Sound Like? (Mind you, it's no way similar to Mandarin)
Has this Ancient Language Survived?
Who Speaks it Today?

You'll be Surprised. You have heard it. You, your parents, or grandparents may
still be speaking this ancient, archaic language!
Yes, it's HOKKIEN (Fujian/Minnan Hua)

Hokkien is:

1. The surviving language of the
Tang Dynasty (618-907AD), China's Golden Age of Culture.
Note: The Hokkien we hear today may have "evolved" from its original
form 2,000 years ago, but it still retains the main elements of the Tang
Dynasty Language.

2. Hokkiens are the surviving descendants of the Tang Dynasty -- When the Tang
Dynasty collapsed, the people of the Tang Dynasty fled South and sought refuge
in the Hokkien (Fujian) province. Hence, Hokkien called themselves Tng-lang
(Tang Ren or People of the Tang Dynasty) instead of Hua Lang (Hua Ren).

3. Hokkien has 8 tones instead of Mandarin's 4. Linguists claim that ancient
languages tend to have more complex tones.

4. Hokkien retains the ancient Chinese pronunciation of "K-sounding"
endings (for instance, Hak Seng (student),
Tua Ok (university), Thak Chek (read a book/study) -- the "k" sounding
ending is not found in Mandarin.

5. The collection of the famous "Three Hundred Tang Dynasty Poems"
sound better when recited in Hokkien/Teochew if compared to Mandarin.

6. Consider this for a moment: Today, the Hokkien Nam Yim orchestral performance
still has its roots in ancient Tang dynasty music. Here's the proof: The
formation of today's Nam Yim ensemble is typically seen in ancient Tang dynasty
paintings of musicians.

More Astonishingly:

Although not genetically-related, Hokkiens, Koreans and Japanese share many
similar words (which are different from Mandarin).

That's because Hokkien was the official language of the powerful Tang Dynasty
whose influence and language spread to Japan and Korea (just like Latin – where
many words were borrowed by the English, French, Italian, etc). Here are just a
few words in Hokkien, Korean and Japanese for your comparison:

Hokkien/Korean/Japanese:

Sin Boon (news)
Sin Mun
Shinbun - newspaper

Cheng Hu (government)
Chong Bu

Pang (room)
Pang

Chhia (car/vehicle)
Ch'a

Mui/M'ng (door)
Mun

P'hio (ticket)
P'yo

Eng Wan (eternal)
Yong Won

Chaek (book)
Ch'ae

Ki (flag)
Ki
ki

Kang (river)
Gang/kang

Poh Hiam (insurance)
Poh Ham

Sio Sim (caution)
Cho sim

Mo Kui (demon)
Ma gui

Cham (attend/join/mix)
Ch'am sok

Kantan (simple)
Gan Dan

Sin Sei Kai (new world)
Shin Sae Gae

Kok Ka (nation)
Kuk Kka

Hya (elder brother)
Hyaeng

Choon Pi (prepare)
Jun Bi

Si Kan (time)
Si Kan

Kam tong (emotion, feeling)
Kam Jong
Kanjoo

Kamsia (gratitude, thanks)
Kam Sa
Kansha

Keat Hoon (marriage)
Kyol Hon
Kekkon

Oon Tong (exercise)
Un Dong
Undoo

Tua Ok (university)
Tae Hak
Daigaku

Aun Chuan (safety)
An Jon
An Zen

Mua Chiok(satisfaction)
Man Jok
Manzoku

Ai Lang (lover)
Ae In
Aijin

Seng Kong (success)
Song Kong
Seikoo

Chhiu Sat (suicide)
Cha sal
Jisatsu

Pu Do (grapes)
P'o d'o
Budoo

Chin Por (progress)
Chin bo
Shinpo