[Lexicog] Re: Changes in German usage

[billposer at ALUM.MIT.EDU]

>The Dutch version was actually 'Het is (streng) verboden het
>gras te betreden', later it probably was 'Niet op het gras lopen'

Am I correct in thinking that the change in what is prohibited
adds to the weakening of the prohibition? To me, the use of "betreden"
suggests the interpretation: "Don't you dare even step on it.", while
the use of "lopen" suggests "Don't stroll around on it. (Lightning will
not strike if you should happen to touch the grass.)".

Bill

--
Bill Poser, Linguistics, University of Pennsylvania
http://www.ling.upenn.edu/~wjposer/ billposer at alum.mit.edu


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