LL-L "Language use" 2005.07.15 (08) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

======================================================================
L O W L A N D S - L * 15.JUL.2005 (08) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
http://www.lowlands-l.net * lowlands-l at lowlands-l.net
Rules & Guidelines: http://www.lowlands-l.net/index.php?page=rules
Posting: lowlands-l at listserv.linguistlist.org or lowlands-l at lowlands-l.net
Commands ("signoff lowlands-l" etc.): listserv at listserv.net
Server Manual: http://www.lsoft.com/manuals/1.8c/userindex.html
Archives: http://listserv.linguistlist.org/archives/lowlands-l.html
Encoding: Unicode (UTF-8) [Please switch your view mode to it.]
=======================================================================
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: Paul Finlow-Bates <wolf_thunder51 at yahoo.co.uk>
Subject: LL-L "Lexicon" 2005.07.15 (06) [E]


Perhaps speakers of various non-mainstream Lowlands dialects can help me. 
How do you feel about foreigners attempting the tongue (as opposed to, for 
example, speaking standard German or Dutch)?  In England, people like 
Geordies or Scousers would assume that a German, or even another Englishman, 
using the local dialect was poking fun at them.  They would be unlikely to 
take it kindly.

Paul

----------

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

Hey, Paul!

My prediction is that in most contexts most Low Saxon (Low German) speakers 
in Northern Germany would have any of the following reactions or mixtures 
thereof: astonishment, amazement, amusement and enjoyment, after initial 
bewilderment (bewilderment mostly because they might assume they had 
misheard and wonder if you just spoke English or something like it).

This would not be terribly different from a assumed "High German" addressing 
such a person in their language.  I get that a lot, in part because of my 
age in conjunction with my "non-country" appearance (for instance shopping 
as a townsman at a country market), especially when accompanied by my wife 
(given her "foreign" look).

Yiddish-speaking people are usually very surprised when I (_a daytsher mit 
aza goyishn ponim_ 'a German with such a Gentile's face') speak to them in 
their language, but once they realize that I'm not doing it "for a laugh," 
that I can actually speak, read and write the language and do so with 
pleasure, they tend to be pleased, if not delighted, especially older 
people, some younger ones also, such as a fellow poet and one of my doctors.

Much depends on the context though, especially in dealing with persons that 
have negative feelings about the language.  However, I predict you would be 
safe if you gave something of an explanation, such as "Do you speak ...? I'm 
trying to learn the language."  Starting off in a mode that might be 
construed as teasing is not advisable.  This is also pretty much in line 
with Colin Wilson's recommendation in his book (_Luath Scots Language 
Learner -- an introduction to contemporary spoken Scots_, 2002,  Luath 
Press, ISBN 094648791X).

By the way, I understand that Marron Fort, an African American in Leer and 
Oldenburg who speaks Eastern Friesland Low Saxon very well (and I've 
listened to him do so in a video and also at * below), is not only very well 
received but widely beloved in the region, has been "adopted."  I guess 
people would be pleased anyway, but he is a serious researcher of the 
language (especially of its Frisian substrates) and variously promotes and 
benefits it.

* 
http://www.bis.uni-oldenburg.de/~havekost/radio/literaturtelefon/09111998_23111998.ram

 I hope this helps.

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.
======================================================================