SwDeEn – Swedish, Deutsch, English

I like languages, especially Swedish and English, which are foreign languages for me as a native German guy. This blog is about these three languages, which are rooted in the Germanic. It is about similarities, differences and will also consider the cultures.

[swdeen]

Germany: Drive as fast as you can!

Did you know, that Germany is the only country in this world that has no general speed limit on its autobahn?

The sign in the middle signals the end of all speed and passing limits, which means you are allowed to drive as fast as you or your car can. You can drive more than 200 km/h without getting in trouble with the police. When there is no speed limit, there is only an advisory speed limit of 130 km/h. 

Why is there no speed limit? 

This is hard to answer. It’s probably comparable to the gun law situation in the US. Everybody knows that extreme speeds could kill and are bad for the environment. On the other hand, the opponents protect that little peace of freedom.

These opponents are the right wing parties, the car building companies as well as a large automobile club with over 18 million members. In favour of speed limits are the left wing parties as well as environmental associations. 

In case you are wondering, whether the left wing parties actually push the speed limit to become a law, when forming the government: nope—they don’t. This topic is only in their parties’ programs before elections. After elections the topic is never really discussed in the Federal Parliament. I am afraid the lobbyists do a good job protecting the freedom of speed.

[swdeen]

What’s a »beltanimal«?

Seriously—the Germans and the Swedes call the armadillo beltanimal? (S: bältdjur / G: Gürteltier).

How come? Just take a look at this special animal! The movable ribbons that form the armature give the animal its name. It is a common name—not used by science.

The English name »armadillo« derives from Spanish and means »little armoured one«.

[swdeen]

Swedes call their vegetables literally »green things« or »green stuff«!

If you think a little while about the word description—why not? Is there any characteristic that fits better to describe this group?

The German language calls vegetables »Gemüse«, it derives from the old Germanic word »muos« (food, victuals, porridge). Even Müsli has the same root. Sometimes Germans call their vegetables »green things« but only to show that they don’t appreciate this sort of food much.

And where does the word »vegetables« come from?

From the Latin »vegetabilis«. It means »capable of life or growth«.

[swdeen]

Tag! Can you talk about Autokorso? And I think of Schweinshaxe, currywurst and black beer when you ask me stereotypes of Germany. It is that Germans are very punctual and serious. I've also learned that the Autobahn in Germany doesn't have any speed limit (I'm from Hong Kong and self-learning German and Swedish)

Hello, hej and Hi!

Thank you very much for your awesome message. Your suggestions are great, I will definitely write about that! I am from Berlin, and the famous Currywurst was invented here. That’s why you find a lot of snack stands, that claim to sell the first or the best Currywurst in Berlin. My favorites are  Konnopke and Curry 36.

Regarding the point, that we are punctual and serious… I think this applies especially to our professional life but in our spare time, I think, we lose this by and by. However, probably this is a point of view from a guy in Berlin.

Some Germans are very proud of the Autobahn and the freedom of driving as fast as one wants or the car goes. Of course the most highway sections have some speed limits, but you are absolutely right, there are some sections where there just is a »recommended speed« of 130 km/h. I can recommend you to watch Tom Hanks telling in a night show how he experienced the Autobahn as a passenger.

[swdeen]

Two weeks ago, the German soccer team won the World Cup. Probably one of the biggest sport goals a German citizen can think of. 

While the championship took place, there were big public screening events in larger cities all over Germany. These events are called »Public Viewing« and they are defined by watching soccer on large screens with many other people. But do the Germans know that »public viewing« in American English describes the lying in repose? Germans would probably not expect the presentation of a corpse when invited to a public viewing in America. 

As often the Germans like to establish English terms for new inventions or concepts. Probably it’s the wish to appear cosmopolitan? Anyway, the term was established in 2006, when Germany hosted the World Cup. As you all know, Germany is much into soccer, so that the tickets for the matches where sold out seconds after being brought on the market. However, the committee that planned the events for the FIFA established the idea to host a big »Fanmeile« (=fan fest) where people could gather and watch the matches together on large screens—so that they would get a sort of stadium-like feeling. That should compensate for the problem that only a relatively small group of people received a ticket to watch a match in the stadium.

Unfortunately, no one knows who established the word »Public Viewing« in the first place.

A radio station in North Rhine-Westphalia, that didn’t like the wrongly used English term, asked their listeners to be creative and find an appropriate German expression. The listeners voted for »Rudelgucken« which literally means »watching in a pack« as the best of the suggestions. However, the term never got as famous as the term pushed by the FIFA.

The biggest Public Viewing event in Germany takes place in front of the Brandenburg Gate on the Straße des 17. Juni. After the team won the Cup two weeks ago, the team flew directly from Rio to Berlin to celebrate their victory with all the fans. Probably you’ve seen some pictures?

[swdeen]

Hej, Hallo and Hi!

Today I added this new header for the page. It is a little weird scribble of all the stereotypes that came to my mind when thinking about Sweden, Deutschland and England. Do you recognize them? Something to add?

[swdeen]

There is a nice French word for standing in line waiting for something: »queue«. In the French origin it means »tail« and in the past it would even describe a »penis« (12th century). It derives from the Latin dialectal word »coda« which means »tail«, too.

»Queue« is a cool example on how the Germanic languages adapt loan words into their own system. 

The English language adapted the complete word without changing the spelling, BUT totally changing the pronunciation.

The Swedish language adapted the complete word as well, though it doesn’t look like the origin. To maintain the French pronunciation, they changed the spelling.

The German expression for »the line you stand in waiting« is »Warteschlange« and literally translated means »waiting snake«. There is no verb in the German language like in English »to queue« or in Swedish »att köa«. In German you have to say you »stand in snake« or »wait in snake«. But Germans also know the word »queue«, it is a »billiard cue«.

Trivia: Did you know that queueing is not normal at a bus stop in Germany? While the first person that arrives at a bus stop in Sweden or in England establishes the queue, there is no similar behavior in Germany. When a bus arrives at a stop, all people run towards the entrance, irrespective of the order of appearance at the stop. The Germans have a very cool name for the picture that establishes, when everybody runs towards the door. They call it »human bunch of grapes« (Menschentraube = knot of people).

Pronunciation for Queue in French, Queue in English, Kö in Swedish, Billard Queue in German, Warteschlange in German und Menschentraube.

Ref.: http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=queue

[swdeen]

Once again: Swedish can be so easy!

When you write a formal letter »to whom it may concern«, in German you have to address it to »Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren« which literally means »very honored ladies and gentlemen«.

In Swedish there are some more possibilities, but very easy rules. If you write a formal letter to an unknown woman you should write to »Bästa fru« or to an unknown man »Bäste herrn«—just like the English »Dear Madam« or »Dear Sir«. The gender-neutral version is »Bäste herr eller fru«—again like »Dear Sir or Madam« in English. However, this salutation is not so common in Sweden due to the very informal use of language. Since the abolishment of most polite forms in the 60’s, you can just write: »Hej!«

There is one exception if you want to send your formal letter to the king or queen. In this case, only »Eders Majestät« (»Your Majesty«) is correct in Sweden, while a letter to The Queen should should open with »Madam«.

Phrases for formal letters (German, Swedish): http://de.bab.la/phrasen/geschaeftlich/bab.la-phrasen-brief-deutsch-schwedisch.pdf

How to address the Swedish king: http://blogg.vett-och-etikett.com/kungligt-hur-inleds-ett-brev-till-till-kungen/

How to address The Queen: http://www.royal.gov.uk/hmthequeen/contactthequeen/overview.aspx

Photo: William Arthur Fine Stationery https://flic.kr/p/8513JQ

[swdeen]

»Easter« has its roots in the Latin »Pascha« and Hebrew »Pesah« and is the celebration period of the resurrection of Jesus.

While the Swedish, French and Spanish word for Easter are clearly referring to the origin in the Latin and Hebrew root, the German and English words trace back to a different origin. 

There are several theories that can be found and—as so often—no one can tell which theory is the right one. - It could derive from the old Germanic word »Austro« which stands for a »red dawn/aurora«. This bright red light has a symbolic meaning because the empty grave of Jesus has been found and in this theory »Easter« is a symbol of the resurrection. - Another theory is that »Easter« describes the direction »East« (Germ.: Ost), where the dawn takes place. Many Christians were baptized during dawn on Easter morning. This ceremony was called »Ostaurn«. - A common but probably false explanation is that the »Ostern« and »Easter« celebration replaced a pagan spring tradition in honor of the Anglo-Saxon goddess Ostara. 

Here you can learn the pronunciation of the examples in the pic: Happy Easter (English), Frohe Ostern (German), Glad Påsk (Swedish), Joyeuses Pâques (French), Felices Pascuas (Spanish)

The Local has collected nine traditions how the Germans celebrate Easter.

Ref.: http://pagewizz.com/frohe-ostern-in-allen-sprachen/

Photo: Ingrid Eulenfan https://flic.kr/p/maMHWq

[swdeen]

Today is »Maundy Thursday«. In German it is called »Gründonnerstag« (literally: »Green Thursday«) and the Swedish name for the fifth day in the Holy Week is »Skärtorsdagen« (lit.: »The Clean Thursday«).

Where does the differences come from? The English term »Maundy« derives from the Latin word »Mandatum« and is a religious rite where one washes the feet of someone. This rite is described in the Bible by several disciples who observed Jesus washing the feet of the twelve apostles before the Last Supper.

The Swedish word »skär« is an old nordic term and has been used to describe something as »clean, nice, white«. The origin is the same as in English.

How come, the German call the day »Green Thursday«?

There are several explanations that can be found—unfortunately no one can say what the correct one is. - Today is the day where the sinners get their sins freed by the church. The Bible describes this rite metaphoric as a part to recover as »green wood«. For this occasion members of the church wore white dresses often with green ribbons. - Another explanation is, that there is still the period of fasting and that the Christians eat especially green food like vegetables, green cabbage and salad. Furthermore it has been the day where the spring often begins and the people tilled their fields. - A third explanation is that »grün« does not really describe the color green but rather derives from »greinen« which means crying and refers to being sad because of Jesus' coming death. 

Photo: harry_nl: https://flic.kr/p/6T4jqP

[swdeen]

An airbag is a very palpable description for the life-saver inside a vehicle. Airbags are—of course—bags inflating within milliseconds after crashing into something. The most common airbag can be found in the front seats of cars and has the function to protect the head from an impact.

»Airbag« is a loan word in German that is used in everyday speech. It is interesting to note, that the invention can be traced back to Germany. Mr. Walter Lindener ranks as the inventor with his patent registered in 1951 in Munich. However, the name »airbag« came much later. In 1974 GM released cars with »Air Cushion Restrain Systems«. In the 80's and 90's the airbag systems became more common and as did the name »airbag«. Not only in English speaking countries but also in Germany.

Although German has its own words to describe the function of an airbag, they were never really used. Ask a native-speaker how »Luftsack« or »Prallkissen« sounds to him/her and you will often hear answers like ridiculous. 

In comparison to German the Swedish language used its own word. In Swedish the airbag it is called »krockkudde« and is a two noun word consisting of the word »krock« for »collision« and »kudde« for »cushion/pillow«.

Photo:  Jørgen Schyberg https://flic.kr/p/7LdWQ

Idea: Evasundine1 https://twitter.com/evasundin1/statuses/451256048150904832

[swdeen]

Three different phrases which always have the same meaning: A person who is lucky in something, whether the persons deserves it or not.

How did that come about? The German word »Glückspilz« (Lucky Mushroom) is rooted in the growing of mushrooms. When mushrooms appear, they appear frequently and grow fast. Before the 19th Century the meaning of »Glückspilz« had a negative connotation and meant people that mushroomed very fast. These very fast growing people brought it to money and wealth fast. 

The Swedish pendant to German mushrooms is a cheese. That is because in Sweden a brainless person was called »cheese« (»Ost«) in earlier times. If this person nevertheless was lucky without actively pursuing their luck, they were called »lucky cheese«.

The English pendant to the mushroom and cheese is no-one less than the »devil«. As in the German and Swedish examples it emphasizes the fact, that someone is lucky in a situation, whether the one deserves it or not. The abusive term »devil« is used because in earlier times people thought that one must have made a pact with the devil.

Photos: - Mushroom: J. Ramsden https://flic.kr/p/a7jyie - Cheese: ulterior epicure https://flic.kr/p/A7ZBb - Devil: C. Lorenzo https://flic.kr/p/54Pyhx

References: - http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/devil's_luck - http://de.wiktionary.org/wiki/lyckans_ost#lyckans_ost_.28Schwedisch.29 - http://de.wiktionary.org/wiki/Glückspilz

There are a few more expressions with the same meaning:  Lucky dog, lucky child or even lucky bastard.

Do you have other examples?

[swdeen]

Discover the differences and similarities between the three languages.

To find out more about loan words written with »ph«, see my former posts like philosophy, phobia and physics.

Thanks for contributing some words adaldag =)

Do you have further words?

[swdeen]

Another great example how the Swedish language deals with loan words with a »ph« from Ancient Greek. »Physics« means »knowledge of nature«.

For further examples check the last posts.

Do you find more?

[swdeen]

After I explained yesterday the different ways of adapting loan words to the Swedish language here is another funny example of a word rooted in Ancient Greek. »Phobia« means »fear« or »anxiety«.

Yesterday's example: filosofi.

Photo: A. Georghiou http://flic.kr/p/JDbSN

Are there more examples?

[swdeen]

Once again: Swedish can be very easy.

The English word »philosophy« has it's roots in the Greek and Latin word »Philosophia« (philo- means loving, sophia means wisdom). It expresses »the love for knowledge and the pursuit of wisdom«.

So, »philosophy« is a loan word for the three Germanic languages. In German »Philosophie« is completely the same spelling like the French  version that adapted it first. This can often be observed when it comes to loan words in the German language. They try avoiding the adaptation of words into their writing and spelling system.

In comparison to German, the Swedish language has a different approach when it comes to loan words. They adjust almost every loan word to their own writing and spelling system. By observing the example »philosophy« that means that first the »ph« can be replaced with a simple »f«. Secondly, the »e« in the ending of the French »philosophie« can be economized because it is not necessary for pronunciation. In the end »philosophie« becomes »filosofi« in the Swedish language.

Here you can listen to »filosofi« and »Philosophie« (German/French).

Photo: wortmeer: http://flic.kr/p/62CWjU References: http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=philosophy

Here you can see another example: »Ingenjör«. Do you have more examples?

[swdeen]

Today is »Shrove Tuesday«, called »Faschingsdienstag« in German or »Fettisdagen« in Swedish. It is the day before the lenten season begins.

Where do these three completely different names come from?

1st ENGLISCH: The word »shrove« comes from the word »shrive«. Shrove Tuesday is the day of self-examination for many Christians. They check on what is wrong and how they can avoid this in the future. With God's help they try to deal with it for the whole lenten season, which ends Eastern.

2nd GERMAN: »Faschingsdienstag« means literally »Tuesday of carnival« and concludes the week of big carnival celebration at midnight. In some regions of Germany the day is also called »Fastnachtsdienstag« and means »Tuesday of fastening night«.

3rd SWEDISH: »Fettisdagen« means literally »The Fat Tuesday« and stands for the permission to eat everything and as much as you like before the period of abstinence will start tomorrow.

Do you know the Semla? It is the traditional pastry that can be found everywhere in Sweden today and is eaten by millions.

Or do you want to find out more about the so called »fifth season Fasching« that will end in Germany today? Here you find some information and links.

Photo: Peter Maas (but slightly modified)

References: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrove_Tuesday http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fastnachtsdienstag http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fettisdagen