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Taboo Words, anyone?
But not the '***!!! is taboo' kind. Real Taboo words. Words not to be used in order not to call on the evil, like "Voldemort" in Harry Potter series.
Do you know about any such words in your language?
In Polish I know about two words that were invented in order not to use 'the real ones'. One of them is the Polish word for a bear - "niedźwiedź". It sounds as if it was a negation of something, but in truth it is a short way for saying what amounts to 'he who knows where the honey is'. Obviously, Slavic tribes were afraid of the animal that posed real danger to them. The other one is "bat" - in Polish "nietoperz - which means "it is not a bird". I can just imagine two guys talking, a bat flying above. "What was that?" "It was not a bird, that's sure..."
Keep your fingers crossed for me tomorrow. Linguistics semi-exam. Off to my notes now...
13 design features of language, anyone?
ETA: And isn't the non-trivial similarity between 'slave' and 'Slavic' interesting? Should I feel offended and propose a new word to describe all Slavic tribes?
Do you know about any such words in your language?
In Polish I know about two words that were invented in order not to use 'the real ones'. One of them is the Polish word for a bear - "niedźwiedź". It sounds as if it was a negation of something, but in truth it is a short way for saying what amounts to 'he who knows where the honey is'. Obviously, Slavic tribes were afraid of the animal that posed real danger to them. The other one is "bat" - in Polish "nietoperz - which means "it is not a bird". I can just imagine two guys talking, a bat flying above. "What was that?" "It was not a bird, that's sure..."
Keep your fingers crossed for me tomorrow. Linguistics semi-exam. Off to my notes now...
13 design features of language, anyone?
ETA: And isn't the non-trivial similarity between 'slave' and 'Slavic' interesting? Should I feel offended and propose a new word to describe all Slavic tribes?
no subject
Can't think of one in French. There are "professional" taboo words: never say "good luck" to theatre actors ("Merde" is the accepted wish), never mention a rabbit aboard a boat (if you really must, it's "the long-eared-animal"), do not wish a good hunt to a hunter.
13 design features of language, anyone?
Thanks, but no, thanks. Been there, done that, forgot them all.
And isn't the non-trivial similarity between 'slave' and 'Slavic' interesting? Should I feel offended and propose a new word to describe all Slavic tribes?
It's not a similarity, its etymology. Apparently, the medieval Venetians brought in their serfs from the neighbouring regions, and in particular from what is now Slovenia.
no subject
non trivial similarity between the signifying and the signifiedAnd I think that if the word 'Indian' is offensive, then so should be 'Slavic'. I'll no longer react to being called that./insanity
Ah, no one wants to know 13 design features of language! *sob* Not even my Mum...
/more insanity?
no subject
no subject
Yay!
Yes. Linguistics is good, Ż.PhD's Linguistics is even better. Not that I would happen to have a slight crush. Not at all.
1. Vocal-Auditory channel
2. Rapid fading
3. Broadcast transmission - directional reception
4. Interchangeability
5. Discreetness
6. Openness
7. Duality of patterning
8. Displacement
9. Total feedback
10. Cultural Transmission
11. Semanticity
12. Specialisation
13. Can't remember for the life of me... Has to check... Shame on me. Arbitrariness. So obvious.
Want some explanation? :)