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Scientists urge people to stop using English terms
Ananova ^ | 04/07/03 | Ananova

Posted on 04/07/2003 11:50:14 AM PDT by bedolido

German scientists are telling the public to stop using words derived from English and use French terms instead.

Armin Burkhardt, who heads the working group on language in politics, calls the project a way of "peaceful linguistic protest".

He is a professor at the German department at Magdeburg University.

In an appeal published by the committee, Burkhardt suggests Germans should buy billets not tickets, go on a rendezvous instead of a date and agree by saying d'accord rather than okay.

He is also calling for "formidable" to replace "cool" and "bonvivant" to replace "playboy".

French expressions have long been part of German, whereas most English expressions only entered the language after World War II.

The group lists about 30 French replacements for English expressions.

Yet, Burkhardt insists the project isn't directed against English-speaking countries.

"But it is meant to show that the political line of the French president and the German chancellor on Iraq have the support of the majority of the public."

Story filed: 19:04 Monday 7th April 2003


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: boycott; boycottfrance; cheeseandwhine; cheeseeating; copycats; dairyproducts; english; france; french; german; germany; surrendermonkeys; thisisseries
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To: bedolido
He is also calling for 'formidable' to replace 'cool' and 'bonvivant' to replace 'playboy'"

For those two, I would consider "tight" or "sweet" and "jerk."
21 posted on 04/07/2003 12:05:05 PM PDT by thetruckster
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To: bedolido
Man sagt also in Französich «Playboy»: «bon viveur», nicht «bon vivant».
22 posted on 04/07/2003 12:05:12 PM PDT by B-Chan (Ne messez pas avec le Texas)
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To: Ditto
I wonder how you say "Bite Me" in Frog?

Mangez-moi!

23 posted on 04/07/2003 12:05:47 PM PDT by B-Chan (Ne messez pas avec le Texas)
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To: RWG
Merde, alors.
24 posted on 04/07/2003 12:06:01 PM PDT by sarasota
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To: bedolido
And the left ridiculed boycotts of French w(h)ine and names such as "French" fries. Let's see them laugh at this retalitory exercise too...
25 posted on 04/07/2003 12:06:19 PM PDT by weegee (McCarthy was right, fight the Red Menace.)
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To: bedolido
He is a professor at the German department at Dumbkopf University.
26 posted on 04/07/2003 12:06:19 PM PDT by theDentist (So..... This is Virginia..... where are all the virgins?)
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To: Willie Green
I've always found "Alouette" to be a bloodthirsty little tune...
27 posted on 04/07/2003 12:06:47 PM PDT by B-Chan (Ne messez pas avec le Texas)
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To: bedolido
This is why scientists should stick to science, and actors should stick to acting. When they get involved in politics and linguistics, they become amateurs of the worst sort.
28 posted on 04/07/2003 12:07:08 PM PDT by sourcery (The Oracle on Mount Doom)
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To: bedolido
What is French for "schadenfreude"? : "Ve are all Americans now"
29 posted on 04/07/2003 12:07:10 PM PDT by Theophilus (Muslim clerics, preaching jihad, are Weapons Of Mass Destruction!)
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To: mad puppy
What is the new word for 'idiot'?

Andouille

30 posted on 04/07/2003 12:08:03 PM PDT by Publius6961 (p>)
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To: bedolido
Armin Burkhardt, who heads the working group on language in politics......

These are not scientists IMO, but political NewSpeak activists, trying to bring Orwell's 1984 to fruition.

31 posted on 04/07/2003 12:08:14 PM PDT by expatpat
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To: bedolido
I am sure the word Retreat must be in there somewhere
32 posted on 04/07/2003 12:08:34 PM PDT by Sparky760
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To: r9etb
really!
33 posted on 04/07/2003 12:08:58 PM PDT by cyn
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To: bedolido
I'd like to recommend they replace "howdy" with "Achtung! Hande hoch!" It used to be the only German the French spoke.
34 posted on 04/07/2003 12:09:46 PM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: cyn
The arbitors of cool have just ruled that the word "formindable" is NOT equivalent.

Dig it, daddy-o.

35 posted on 04/07/2003 12:10:42 PM PDT by weegee (McCarthy was right, fight the Red Menace.)
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To: bedolido
Maybe they should revert to Vietnamese: "chu hoi" for instance loosely translated means "I surrender"
36 posted on 04/07/2003 12:10:52 PM PDT by LiteKeeper
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To: cyn
Good. Then they won't understand when we call them no good <:!!#@!^ &!%%!$ **!!!@@s! Oops! Most of those words ARE German or French.
37 posted on 04/07/2003 12:11:00 PM PDT by Williams
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To: bedolido
He's not a "scientist", he's a commie university prof. BFD.
38 posted on 04/07/2003 12:11:37 PM PDT by ozzymandus
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To: bedolido
"Royal with cheese" bump!
39 posted on 04/07/2003 12:14:17 PM PDT by Constitution Day ("They haif said. Quhat say they? Lat thame say.")
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To: bedolido
To paraphrase Churchill, the germans are either at france's feet or at its throat. Wonder how it feels to be german, kissing the collective rears of the french???
40 posted on 04/07/2003 12:14:38 PM PDT by ellery
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