LL-L "Language survival" 2005.09.06 (07) [E/LS/German]

Wed Sep 7 04:36:48 UTC 2005

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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: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Language survival

Lowlander Folks, especially Jonny and Heiko,

I feel I need to explain my terminology before wires (continue to) get 
crossed.

In my usage and apparently in the usage of most other people, "neologisms" 
and "Patentplatt" are two very different things.

Definitions:

NEOLOGISM:
a newly introduced lexical item (irrespective of origin) that comes to be 
generally used to denote a previously unknown creature, thing or concept.

Examples in Low Saxon:
   Computer (computer)
   Räkener ~ Rekener (computer)
   Nettsiet (webpage)
   E-Post (e-mail)
   Container (for large-scale shipping)
   Sex-Appeal
   Hazienda, Hacienda
   Œverschallfloog (< G Überschallflug < supersonic flight) [calque]
   Tornado
   Schamaan (< G Schamane)
   Sepenoper (< G Seifenoper < soap opera)

PATENTPLATT:
Language- and area-specific:*
an idiosyncratically German-derived, -based or -inspired lexical item, 
idiomatic expression, morphological element or syntactic structure alien to 
Low Saxon (Saxon-derived Low German) that is, usually due to insufficient 
Low Saxon proficiency, used in place of one or more already existing, 
authentic native Low Saxon equivalent.

*(I am limiting this to Low Saxon (LS) and Patentplatt (PP) under German 
(SG) domination here, but you could extend it to other situations – 
"Patent-Limburgish," "Patent-Scots," or whatever.)

Examples:

***

SG: Ich benötige keinen Verteidiger, denn wovor sollte ich mich verteidigen 
müssen?

PP: Ik benödig keen Verdediger, denn wovör schull ik mi verdedigen mœten?

LS: Ik heff keen Bistand vun 'n Afkaat nödig (~ bruuk keen Bistand vun 'n 
Afkaat). Wat schull ik mi ook för verdeffendeern (~ vermanteneern)?

I don't require a defense attorney. After all, what should I have to defend 
myself for?

***

SG: Als sie sich in der frühen Morgendämmerung auf den Weg machten, war weit 
und breit niemand zu sehen, doch auf einmal erschien aus dem dichten Dunst 
ein Polizist und winkte wie verrückt mit beiden Armen. Die Frau nickte 
leicht mit dem Kopf und murmelte: "Das hatte ich fast erwartet."

PP: As se sik in de fröhe Morgendämmerung up'n Weg möken, weer weet (~ wied) 
un breet niemand to sehn, doch up eenmaal erscheen ut'n dichten Dunst 'n 
Polizist un wink as verrückt mit beide Arms. De Fro nick licht mit'n Kopp un 
murmel: "Dat harr ik fast erwartet."

LS: As se in de Uchtentied (~ in't fröhe Morgendämmern) up'n Padd güngen, 
(daar) kunnst wied un sied nüms (~ keeneen) sehn, man mit 'n Maal (~ 
miteens) keem ut'n Daak 'n Putzmann (~ Udel) vörtüüg un weiharm för dull. De 
Fro nickköpp sachtens un mummel: "Dat weer (~ was) ik mi meist moden west."

When they set out at the crack of dawn, you didn't see anyone far and wide, 
but all of a sudden a policeman appeared from the dense haze and waved his 
arms about wildly. The woman nodded lightly and mumbled, "I had just about 
expected that."

***

SG: Nach der Windstille kam plötzlich ein Zugwind auf und brachte die Wäsche 
zum eifrigen Flattern. Jenseits des goldenen Felds war eine pechschwarze 
Wolkenwand emporgestiegen, und Schwalben und Sperlinge schossen auf die 
Scheune zu, um sich in Sicherheit zu bringen.

PP: Na de Windstill keem up eenmaal 'n Toogwind up un bröch de Wäsch to'n 
ievrigen Fladdern. Jeensiets vun dat guldenen Feld weer 'n pechswatte 
Wulkenwand upstegen, un Swalven un Spatzen scheten up de Schüün to, üm sik 
in Säkerheit to bringen.

LS: Mit de Stillt (~ Flaut(e)) weer (~ was) 't vörbi, un mitmaal (~ miteens) 
füng in 'n paar Halen de Wäsch an för dull to weifeln. Güntsiet dat güllene 
Feld weer (~ was) 'n gnäterswatte (~ pickendüüstere) Swark tohöögd gahn (~ 
upstägen), un Swulken un Lünken susen (~ scheten) up de Schüün an, söken na 
Schuul.

The calm came to an end as the laundry suddenly started fluttering fervently 
in some gusts. An ominous dark cloud wall had ascended beyond the golden 
field, and swallows and sparrows were dashing toward the barn for shelter.

***

I made these up off the top of my head, just for illustration.

I am not saying that those versions under "LS" are the only correct ones. 
Obviously, different people would render them differently.  What counts is 
that they are authentic and treat the language as being independent.  While 
there are definite cases of PP (by anyone's standard), some words used in 
the PP versions may be regarded as passable.  Perhaps they started off as PP 
but eventually established themselves.

Personally, at least in my "beautiful" compositions, I enjoy using 
LL-specific expressions and phrases, not just in order to be "different," 
but to let the language glitter and dance and show off its very own 
features.  For example, _Ucht_ for the period of the very first morning 
light (just before full-flown daybreak), and _Ulenflucht_ ("owl's flight") 
for the very last glimmers of evening twilight (_Schummern(tied)_), are 
beautiful, powerful words.  Similarly, _Swark_ is a very special and 
eloquent way of referring to an ominous large cloud or wall of clouds.  Sure 
you can say those things differently.  But why waste such inherited goodies?

None of the above is supposed to be a declaration of some universal, eternal 
truth.  It is merely based on my personal perceptions and opinions.

Regards,
Reinhard/Ron

***
P.S.: Heiko, your _Postleettall_ might be better as _Postleddtall_, the verb 
'lead' being _ledden_, not *_leten_.  In some dialects it's _lei(d)en_. 
Another word for 'lead', 'send', 'direct' is _stüren_ (like Dutch _sturen_ 
for the same, cognate of German _steuern_ 'to steer').  So, _Poststüürtall_ 
is another possibility, perhaps better, more transparent and descriptive, 
clearly conveying the idea of 'conveying through channels'.  What say you? 
(But, for Heaven's sake, don't spell it _Postüürtall_, for that would mean 
'number of insufferable, hideous hags," _(An-)Zahl unausstehlicher, 
hässlicher Frauenzimmer_ … ;-) )

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