[Lowlands-l] Google Translate

[Lowlands Languages & Cultures]

I don't like the idea of creating a kind of rivalry between minority
languages so this thread makes me feel uncomfortable. West Frisian is
(as the North Frisian languages and Saterfrisian) a language of its own,
even if it might show results of the contact to Dutch. I might say the
same about Dutch as I wasn't able to learn it because my Low Saxon was
stronger and taking control. I can read Dutch without big problems - so
Dutch isn't more than a Low Saxon dialect, right? Okay, that was a pun.
I hope you get my point.
Why cannot we applaude Google Translate and Facebook for their decision
and work on for getting the same for Low Saxon and other minority
languages?

As for the relations between the languages around the North Sea: Through
the centuries they had many contacts because of migration, trade and
politics. Of course that had an impact on the languages. English is even
the best example how a language develops because of history.
Anglo-Saxons, Danes, Normans - they all came to conquer what we know
today as England. They all brought their own languages as sign of their
mastery.

Greetings from Kiel,

Anja



<-----Ursprungligt Meddelande----->

 	 	From: Lowlands Languages & Cultures
[lowlands-l at listserv.linguistlist.org]
Sent: 20/7/2017 9:50:18 PM
To: lowlands-l at listserv.linguistlist.org
Subject: Re: [Lowlands-l] Google Translate 


Yes. Definitely lively, that's why we should make Google add it.
I really don't see the point of making West Frisian a seperate language
though, 
as it doesn't contain that much of a unique vocabulary, and strongly
resembles Dutch.  

?????? 20 ????? 2017 8:24 ?????,? "Lowlands Languages & Cultures" <
lowlands-l at listserv.linguistlist.org
<mailto:lowlands-l at listserv.linguistlist.org> > ???:


	On 20/07/2017 11:18 AM, Eitan wrote:
	

		Hi all,

		  I've requested Facebook they should add low german
into their language poll since they recently had added West Frisian
which isn't much an obvious choice.

		That being the case, to my surprise Google Translate
added West Frisian as well.
		

		I don't consider West frisian the closest language to
English language because of certain reasons. Here's what I wrote:

		Low german (of plaudietsch language) is spoken by
450,000 people around the world, which is about on par with Frisian on
the total. It has a rich body of literature, including the bible, and
many unique expressions and vowel sounds.  
		Compared to what is spoken in west friesland, it's a
fully-fledged and dynamic language. And while it is true that Frisian is
recognised minority language in the Netherlands, Plautdietsch is
recognised in belize and has a minority status there.
		

		Do you agree?

	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf55TFRG-2w
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf55TFRG-2w> 
	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lV4S4VLhV0
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lV4S4VLhV0> 
	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdaLj8jkJfI
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdaLj8jkJfI> 
	
	Sure doesn't look dead to me.
	
	Ed Alexander
	
	


	 

	

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