LL-L "Idiomatica" 2008.09.16 (01) [A/E]

[Lowlands-L List]

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L O W L A N D S - L - 16 September 2008 - Volume 01
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From: E Zinsser <ezinsser at icon.co.za>
Subject: LL-L "Idiomatica" 2008.09.15 (04) [E]

Hi all,

Of course it is possible that I misunderstood Jorge and the focus of the
question was 'Is this a typical saying in Afrikaans?' rather than, 'Is it
possible to say this sentence in Afrikaans?"

Mark, ek sou sê: "Die honde blaf asof hulle betaal word!"

Groete,
Elsie Zinsser

  *To:* LOWLANDS-L at LISTSERV.LINGUISTLIST.ORG;
 *Subject:*LL-L "Idiomatica" 2008.09.15 (04) [E]

From: Elsie Zinsser <ezinsser at icon.co.za>
Subject: LL-L "Idiomatica" 2008.09.15 (02) [D/E]

Hi all,

Jaqueline, it is not used in Afrikaans but can be said, hence me referring
to the sentence as being nonsensical.

Elsie

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From: Mark Dreyer <mrdreyer at lantic.net>
Subject: LL-L "Idiomatica" 2008.09.15 (01) [E]

Hi All:

Subject:LL-L "Idiomatica"

 As Elsie says:
Yes, Jorge, you can say this in Afrikaans: 'Die honde blaf hulle koppe af'
although it is nonsensical.

Metaphor is likely the most idiosyncretic feature of a language, carrying a
heavy burden ofcultural values. One cannot assume that because it sounds
right in English itis meaningful in another language. It might even be
offensive. For example,when we read in the Bible that Jesus says, "I will
make you fishersof men." the translators might have blindly translated the
sentence moreaccurately as, "I will teach you to take lives."

 If I wantedto carry the idea accross rather than to try to translate the
exact phrase Iwould say, "Die honde blaf dat dit bars!" - the dogs barkso
that it bursts?!

Yrs,

Mark
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