LL-L "Semantics" 2003.11.04 (10) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

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L O W L A N D S - L * 04.NOV.2003 (10) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
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A=Afrikaans Ap=Appalachian B=Brabantish D=Dutch E=English F=Frisian
L=Limburgish LS=Lowlands Saxon (Low German) N=Northumbrian
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From: R. F. Hahn <lowlands-l at lowlands-l.net>Subject: Semantics

Lowlanders,

In the light of our somewhat somber thoughts of late and my difficulties
with the word "follow" in my Lowlands Saxon (Low German) translation of
Campion's "Followe Thy Faire Sunne" (LL-L "Holidays" 2003.11.04 (07) [E]), I
would like to draw your attention to an interesting case of semantic
specialization.  I wonder if you can think of similar cases.

In LS, the verb _volgen_ (<folgen> < Old Saxon _folgôn_) -- once denoting
'to follow' generally (as its cognates in other Germanic languages still
do) – has in most dialects come to denote specifically 'to be in a funeral
procession', 'to participate in a funeral'.  Clearly, this must have started
with 'to follow the body/casket'.  My hypothesis is that the word was
already somewhat formal to begin with, and its use in this formal phrase
tabooized it in other contexts.  Thus, in denoting 'to follow' in other
contexts, you need to paraphrase, e.g., by saying _na-gaan_ ("to go
after/behind"), _na-loupen_ ("to run after/behind"), _na-kamen_ ("to come
after/behind").

Can you think of other such cases in Lowlands language varieties?

Regards,
Reinhard/Ron

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