language puzzle

[Jerry Katsell]

Just a little follow-up to my previous posting; Czech hnědý is indeed
brown

but can comprise shades of brown tending toward the lighter side. Thus,
hnědý oči, for example, would indicate hazel eyes. For really light
brown, however, tending toward blond, it's more likely you would see
svetlo-hnědý. 

I also don't see the inevitability of "the word must mean 'blond'" since
the 

manifest, presumably written in English, does not include red or other
ruddy tints such as auburn.

 

Jerry Katsell

 

-----Original Message-----
From: SEELANGS: Slavic & East European Languages and Literatures list
[mailto:SEELANGS at BAMA.UA.EDU] On Behalf Of Jules Levin
Sent: Wednesday, December 26, 2007 6:28 PM
To: SEELANGS at BAMA.UA.EDU
Subject: [SEELANGS] language puzzle

 

On another list devoted to genealogy, there has arisen a puzzling 

term used on a ship's manifest to describe

hair color.  Here is a quote:

 

Typed manifests give hair color of "hane" for some of the foreign

passengers, a good many of whom are Czech.  By process of elimination,

the word must mean "blond", given the other entries: "black," "brown,"

"dark," "grey".

 

No one recognizes "hane" as a color term in English.  The suggestion 

that it is henna has been

rejected, since those so described include many men and 

children.  Ships' manifests are

compiled at the departure point, and perhaps some Czech term slipped 

in here.  Any ideas?

 

Jules Levin

Los Angeles

 

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