And also (take it with a grain of salt, it is humor). (01)
wrote: (02)
>> Seems to me that German is far more orderly and predictable
>> than English, even independent of the issue of spelling, where
>> German is the very model of consistency compared to the chaos
>> of English. (03)
Don't even get me started on their lack of proper ontology for animals in
natural German language. (04)
Examples: (05)
1. A toad is a "krote". A turtle is named a Schildkrote which somehow
implies it is a toad that acquired a sheild, rather than unique genus. (06)
2. Schinktier - the name for a skunk. Very literal if you ask me (means
"smelly animal") (07)
3. Nilepferd. Rather than recognizing a hippopotamus as a distinct species,
the Germans consider it a Pferd (Horse) that swims in the Nile. Perhaps
this is perhaps why so many German tourists try to encourage Nilepferds into
weight loss programs?? (08)
4. Nasehorn: again, a literal name for the Rhinocerous, a noble beast who
might be a bit sensitive about the appendage sticking out of the middle of
its' forehead. IMO, not polite to give it a name to constantly remind it of
the growth. (09)
5. Waschbehr: This is the German name for a Raccoon. They assume it is a
small bear (behr) that washes itself (wasch) rather than a distinct species. (010)
With these examples, I am often surprised that bees are not called "small
flying bears" or "miniature yellow levitating zebras". (011)
;-) (012)
Okay - sorry. For the record I love German culture and live there a few
months every year and could not help using this forum to share these
observations. (013)
Duane (014)
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