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> English, on the other is awesome for forming phrases that are nearly impossible to translate. "To go to town on somebody" is one I really like, for example.
by wingerlang 11y ago
> English, on the other is awesome for forming phrases that are nearly impossible to translate. "To go to town on somebody" is one I really like, for example.
I think all languages do this. Why would English be specifically better at it than german?
- sergiosgc 11y agoThat example, specifically, all languages do. What I find unique in English is that it is very onomatopoeic. What is a "boom box"? It's a box that does the sound "boom". When you "crash" your car, that's the sound that occurs. A staple, when applied, sounds like "staple", as much as a zipper produces the "zip" sound when pulled. It is quite unique.
- gandarojin 11y agoThe German word for “staple” is »Tacker«, which is onomatopoeic. If you wanted to say that two cars crashed, you could use: »Zwei Autos (prallten|krachten) gegeneinander.« Both »prallen« and »krachen« are onomatopoeic. Onomatopoeia is common in German as well.