LL-L "Semantics" 2004.01.25 (03) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

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L O W L A N D S - L * 25.JAN.2004 (03) * 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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From: ezinsser <ezinsser at icon.co.za>
Subject: LL-L "Semantics" 2004.01.24 (04) [E]

Hi all,

Ron, with reference to:
> I was quite entertained when I read the same word used
> the same way in Afrikaans with reference to hilly terrain
> within the same sentence.

In Afrikaans 'platteland' means 'rural', regardless whether it's
the western Cape mountains, the rolling Natal midlands or the
Northwestern Cape's flatlands.

Groete,
Elsie Zinsser

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From: R. F. Hahn lowlands-l at lowlands-l.net
Subject: Semantics

Thanks for confirming that, Elsie.

It would be interesting to share other such examples as we come across them,
cases in which a word reflect local conditions and speakers disregard its
etymology when it is use to refer to non-local or changed equivalents.

The best example I can come up with right now is _middag_ in Lowlands Saxon
(Low German) and (> ?) in Danish, Norwegian and Swedish (also _Middag_
[middax] in Missingsch and _Mittag_ in other North German dialects).
Literally it means "midday," hence 'noon'.  It is also used (assumedly
derived from LS _middageten_ "midday eating/food" = "midday meal") to mean
'lunch' and, in extension, 'dinner'.  Thus, _middag_ ("midday") can refer to
any major meal, including a festive dinner, irrespective of the time of day.
To a learner of one of these languages it must at first seem quite curious
to come across a sentence literally translatable as "That evening we met for
#midday# at her house."  This must seem all the more peculiar to people in
whose cultures the main meal is eaten in the evening rather than at noon.

Regards,
Reinhard/Ron

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