LL-L "Language varieties" 2004.08.08 (02) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

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L O W L A N D S - L * 8.AUG.2004 (02) * 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
S=Scots Sh=Shetlandic V=(West)Flemish Z=Zeelandic (Zeêuws)
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Onderwerp: "Language varieties"
Van: Heinrich Becker <heinrich.becker at gmx.net>


Dear Erik and all, who are interested in,

>Scandinavian (= Danish,
>Swedish and Norwegian) was transformed  in vocabulary and grammar by Low
>German to a degree that Scandinavians no longer understand Icelanders who
>have kept the old (Viking) tongue. Though closely related to Icelandic it
>is much easier for Scandinavians to understand Low German and read Dutch
>than Icelandic.

I send you my heartfelt applause to your mention, I too have had so many
experiences with.
 My advantage for learning Swedish  was, there is no doubt, my Low
German vocabulary.
When I travelled by lift for my first visit to Scandinavia  in 1970,
heading first to Finland meeting parents of a friend. They were Swedish
speaking.
 I bought a booklet from famous German language editor Langenscheidt:
"In 30 Stunden Schwedisch." -
 a fullfilling prophecy! I read six chapters and was able to keep the
urgently needed conversation and a little more. Main reason was my  Low
German!

>Unfortunately Low German is practically unknown to most Scandinavians
>because it is not mentioned in schools (though it ought to both in
>mother tongue classes and German classes).

This conclusion has also to be emphasized. Since the described times, my
experience in Swedish language has grown a bit. Today I meet lots of
Swedes for different occasions. Some of them know, that Swedish is
influenced by German. They all think , it was Standard German because of
Lutherism. They partly have never heard about Low German and its
connections f.i. to Dutch. There is a lot of enlightment to be done.

Sincerely
Heinrich


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