Even think of “ homeless” instead of “ bum,” vagrant, hobo, and tramp. Same characters but the current “ homeless” is a sympathetic word. Also why the problem is not a house or lack of a house but permission giving to be a bum( a victim!”
This is awesome! Once you learn the thee/you distinction, it illuminates so much of classic literature and scripture in a new way.
I’m learning Hindi right now, and it’s the first language I’ve encountered that uses three variants of you: “aap” (formal), “tum” (informal), and “tu” (best described as intimate, reserved mostly for lovers, prayers, and a person’s own children). It’s a small shift that adds so much texture to everyday language.
Interesting. I actually wrote my PhD on language and power, one thing that stood out to me is how linguistic structures don’t just reflect thought, but actively constrain what can be expressed or even imagined.
I honestly feel/think so differently when I speak Persian/Dari and to me there's an intimate, poetic attachment in each word that I think has influenced me in so many ways. Also there are hundreds of words and concepts in those two languages that I can't quite translate to English!
I believe Irish & at least some Native American languages assign gender to animals, trees, plants, etc. which is a pretty big fundamental shift in perception. It’s woven into their cultural belief system with far more respect for the natural world, versus English where everything is an “it.”
Live with a German from Munich where Bavarians have words that can stump the most scholarly Berliner. That said, German is fair in one respect in that you pronounce every letter. Not like French where they are sometimes merely suggestions.
I think language does shape our thinking: Consider the Greek verb, "agapeo" or its noun form "agape". We know from John's letters that this refers to treating someone according to the Law. So if I "agapeo" you, I won't kill you, steal your stuff, or bear false witness against you.
But in English, we don't have a word for that concept. So it's mistranslated to mean "charity" or "liking" or "loving".
So Jesus' command to agapeo our enemies actually means we must treat them according to the Law. It doesn't mean we are required to "like" them or have a tender affection for them. But English speaking Christians believe we are commanded to like or love our enemies!
This has been a disaster. Because English doesn't have a word for that concept and English translators either didn't understand what it meant or mistakenly believed they had to come up with a one word definition instead of using a phrase to show its true meaning.
As Heidegger once said, «language is the home of Being». And, also, «man is the language shepard». That means we are the language we live (and talk with) in.
Even think of “ homeless” instead of “ bum,” vagrant, hobo, and tramp. Same characters but the current “ homeless” is a sympathetic word. Also why the problem is not a house or lack of a house but permission giving to be a bum( a victim!”
Oh yes - every word carries a truckload of "baggage".
This is awesome! Once you learn the thee/you distinction, it illuminates so much of classic literature and scripture in a new way.
I’m learning Hindi right now, and it’s the first language I’ve encountered that uses three variants of you: “aap” (formal), “tum” (informal), and “tu” (best described as intimate, reserved mostly for lovers, prayers, and a person’s own children). It’s a small shift that adds so much texture to everyday language.
Interesting. I actually wrote my PhD on language and power, one thing that stood out to me is how linguistic structures don’t just reflect thought, but actively constrain what can be expressed or even imagined.
“Thee” and “thou” were not only about formality and more indicative of singular second person.
I honestly feel/think so differently when I speak Persian/Dari and to me there's an intimate, poetic attachment in each word that I think has influenced me in so many ways. Also there are hundreds of words and concepts in those two languages that I can't quite translate to English!
I grew up bilingual and I work in a third language. I strongly believe I had slightly different personalities in each language lol
Thinking of ‘thou’ being more intimate reminds me of this.
À Yorkshire youth addresses an old man as ‘thou’. He retorts, ‘Don’t thee tha’ me. Thee tha’ them as thous thee!’
The issue raised in the post title was not addressed in the text.
That's what I was thinking!
I believe Irish & at least some Native American languages assign gender to animals, trees, plants, etc. which is a pretty big fundamental shift in perception. It’s woven into their cultural belief system with far more respect for the natural world, versus English where everything is an “it.”
Live with a German from Munich where Bavarians have words that can stump the most scholarly Berliner. That said, German is fair in one respect in that you pronounce every letter. Not like French where they are sometimes merely suggestions.
I think language does shape our thinking: Consider the Greek verb, "agapeo" or its noun form "agape". We know from John's letters that this refers to treating someone according to the Law. So if I "agapeo" you, I won't kill you, steal your stuff, or bear false witness against you.
But in English, we don't have a word for that concept. So it's mistranslated to mean "charity" or "liking" or "loving".
So Jesus' command to agapeo our enemies actually means we must treat them according to the Law. It doesn't mean we are required to "like" them or have a tender affection for them. But English speaking Christians believe we are commanded to like or love our enemies!
This has been a disaster. Because English doesn't have a word for that concept and English translators either didn't understand what it meant or mistakenly believed they had to come up with a one word definition instead of using a phrase to show its true meaning.
As Heidegger once said, «language is the home of Being». And, also, «man is the language shepard». That means we are the language we live (and talk with) in.
I always thought the singular of spaghetti was spaghetto. 😆
Interesting