4 ms·
This is a totally pedantic meta comment but I think you mean motive here, not Motif. In English, motif typically means more like a design pattern or theme, whic
by sailfast 7y ago
This is a totally pedantic meta comment but I think you mean motive here, not Motif. In English, motif typically means more like a design pattern or theme, which is confusing since it’s so similar to motief in Nederlands.
- jacquesm 7y agoAh sorry, you are right, will edit.
- wjnc 7y agoThis is great. When German, English, French and Dutch go through a tumbler and no easy logic can be seen explaining the different uses and spellings. Motief, motive, motiv, motif. So motif [Eng] is based on motive [Fr] for repetitive (something). And motive [Eng] is similar in meaning to motief [NL], motive [Fr] and motiv [De]. All based on the same root in Latin.
- sailfast 7y agoAgreed - so interesting to see which words now have meanings tied to certain contexts in different languages (well, mostly English probably since it makes little sense at times!) over time. It was an interesting exploration.