LL-L "Names" 2002.06.10 (08) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

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 L O W L A N D S - L * 10.JUN.2002 (08) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
 Web Site: <http://www.sassisch.net/rhahn/lowlands/>
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 A=Afrikaans Ap=Appalachian D=Dutch E=English F=Frisian L=Limburgish
 LS=Low Saxon (Low German) S=Scots Sh=Shetlandic Z=Zeelandic (Zeeuws)
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From: Sandy Fleming [sandy at scotstext.org]
Subject: "Names"

> From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
> Subject: Names
>
> That may be so, but everyone else that I know uses _Neddersassen_,
> _Nedersaksen_, _Neersassen_. etc. (dependent on their dialects) when
> speaking or writing Low Saxon (Low German), and I would be rather
> startled to hear someone say _Niedersachsen_ when speaking Low Saxon.  I
> gave that form in parentheses, which does not necessarily imply that it
> is the *origin*, simply means that it is the equivalent.

Moving over to the question of how to best to refer
to the language in English, something I've been
wondering about for a while is, wouldn't it be better
to say "Lowland Saxon" rather than "Low Saxon"? At
least it would send a clear message that the qualifier
is intended as a geographical distinction (say, from
Upper Saxony or even Highland Germany) rather than a
derogatory term.

Alternatively, adopting "Nethersaxon" or "Nether Saxon"
in English would do roughly the same job - but "Lowland
Saxon" seems clearer and therefore less prone to
misinterpretation.

Sandy
http://scotstext.org
A dinna dout him, for he says that he
On nae accoont wad ever tell a lee.
                          - C.W.Wade,
                    'The Adventures o McNab'

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From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Names

Sandy,

Thanks for the input (above).

I tend to agree with you.  This "Low Saxon" had already been something
like a tradition in the Netherlands (Nedersaksisch) when I jumped on the
bandwagon.  I did try "Lowlands Saxon" for a while, but some people said
that "Low German" was already established and it therefore ought to be
"Low Saxon."  Besides, some pointed out that "Low" here (derived from
_Ned(d)er_ and _Plat(t)_) does *not* refer to the Lowlands but to the
traditionally low status, or "plain" vs "elevated." Well, I still take
that with a grain of salt.

Perhaps we should start with "Lowlands Saxon" in parentheses to ease
people into it?

Regards,
Reinhard/Ron

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