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There are subtle differences everywhere which could have real framing effects or make no difference at all except to the expression itself. In English one spen
by jddj 7y ago
There are subtle differences everywhere which could have real framing effects or make no difference at all except to the expression itself.
In English one spends time, for example, much like one spends money. I love that as a metaphor but in Spanish you don't spend time, you pass time.
Does that reflect some transactional nature of English compared to Spanish, or nothing significant at all? Probably the latter, but I'll admit to enjoying these nuances.
Along the same line, in English one pays attention where in Spanish one lends it. Does the Spanish language bake in that exchanges should be fairly reciprocal? No idea, but fun to think about.
- pbhjpbhj 7y agoInteresting. British English uses both 'spend' and 'pass'. In particular hobbies (leisure activities) are known as passtimes. "How do you pass your time?" is not a common expression though but the concept is available, and used sometimes. People also say things like "what do you do with your [spare] time?".
- zimpenfish 7y ago> In particular hobbies (leisure activities) are known as passtimes. Minor nit - it's "pastime" (although it does come from "passe tyme" and "passe-temps")
- pbhjpbhj 7y agoI was poorly trying to highlight the etymology, probably: "pass-times" (pastimes).