LL-L "Lexicon" 2003.05.19 (07) [E/LS]

[Lowlands-L]

======================================================================
L O W L A N D S - L * 19.May.2003 (07) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
http://www.lowlands-l.net * sassisch at yahoo.com
Rules & Guidelines: http://www.lowlands-l.net/rules.htm
Posting Address: lowlands-l at listserv.linguistlist.org
Server Manual: http://www.lsoft.com/manuals/1.8c/userindex.html
Archives: http://listserv.linguistlist.org/archives/lowlands-l.html
=======================================================================
You have received this because you have been subscribed upon request.
To unsubscribe, please send the command "signoff lowlands-l" as message
text from the same account to listserv at listserv.linguistlist.org or
sign off at http://linguistlist.org/subscribing/sub-lowlands-l.html.
=======================================================================
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)
=======================================================================

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

[English below]

Leyglanders,

By us touhuus' an dey Ünnerelv' bruukt wy up Neddersassisch (Nedderdü
ytsch), Missingsch un "Hoog"-Düytsch af un an twey Frantsöyssche löönwö
yrd', dey ik in wöyrd'böyker nich vinnen kan.

Dat eyne is dat wourd "meschant".  Dat kümt vun _méchant(e)_ af un bedü
ydt so wat as "böys(aardig)"; t.b. "Sey is 'n ganss meschant wyv" or
"Sey het em würklich meschant behandelt".

Dat annere is "fassong".  Dat kümt vun _façon_ af un bedüydt so wat as
"mood'" or "aard un wys'"; t.b. "Den slag rok is upstüns fassong" or "Up
dey fassong kanst mit eer nich snakken".

Bruukt annere Leyglanders düsse wöyrd' ook?  Sünd dat olde löönwöyrd',
or weyren sey man bloots vör 'n wyl "fassong"?  Wen sey old sünd, sünd
sey vun dey Frantsöyssche "fassong" vun 't 17. un 18. jaarhunnerd or vun
dey Frantsosen-Tyd in Noord-Düytschland överbleven?

Dank un Gröytens,
Reinhard/Ron

***

Lowlanders,

Where I grew up (in the Lower Elbe region) we used two French loanwords
in Lowlands Saxon (Low German), Missingsch (German on LS substrate) and
"High" German, and I can find neither of them in any dictionaries.

One of them is _meschant_.  It is derived from _méchant(e)_ and means
something like 'wicked', 'evil', 'despicable'; e.g., _Sey is 'n ganss
meschant wyv_ 'She is an absolutely nasty piece of work' or _Sey het em
würklich meschant behandelt_ 'She treated him in a truly appalling way'.

The other is _fassong_.  It is derived from _façon_ and means something
like 'fashion', 'mode' or 'manner'; e.g., _Den slag rok is upstüns
fassong_ 'That type of skirt is currently in fashion' or _Up dey fassong
kanst mit eer nich snakken_ 'You can't talk to her that way'.

Do other Lowlanders use these words as well?  Are they old loanwords, or
were they only passing fads?  If they are old, are they remnants from
the French craze of the 17th and 18th centuries or from the time of
Napoleonic occupation of Northern Germany (of the early 19th century)?

Thanks and regards,
Reinhard/Ron

================================END===================================
* Please submit postings to lowlands-l at listserv.linguistlist.org.
* Postings will be displayed unedited in digest form.
* Please display only the relevant parts of quotes in your replies.
* Commands for automated functions (including "signoff lowlands-l") are
  to be sent to listserv at listserv.linguistlist.org or at
  http://linguistlist.org/subscribing/sub-lowlands-l.html.
======================================================================