"Old and New" - that is how the Dutch call New Year's Eve.
I like that - and it gives me something to think about.
Some of you might have noticed that I (megalomaniac as ever) started a new blog - in Dutch.
I do it to force myself to write a tiny coherent text (though: coherent...mmmh...)
I started to learn Dutch in autumn 2017 - and really work a lot to grasp it.
Reading and translating it is ok (at the university we have to read literary texts that a lot of Dutch people will not know); understanding conversations is ok, though one has to listen very carefully, and writing, well... Very difficult: to speak the language, fluently I mean.
At the university I wondered: in some language courses we had to discuss (the modern method of learning a language - just jump). I was flabbergasted: we greenhorns (some even from other countries and thus with an interesting accent different from our also interesting German accent) discussed in little groups of three or four - and the teacher often was far away in the seminar room, helping other groups smattering... hahaha, that (and I mean the students, not the teacher!) reminded me of the German saying "The Blind leads the Lame".
Now, Mrs. Hill - concentrate: why "Oud and New"?
Because all my life I tried to keep my "old" friends when Pomp and Circumstances drove me into other parts of the world (I moved 17 times...) - and I managed that fairly well.
So: I want to have the cake and eat it (oh yes - not only megalomaniac but also immodest! - though this might be two sides of the same coin).
I want to keep you, dear old friends - and the new Dutch ones.
(And there are many things that connect you - think of 1652 - 1654)
(Not only megalomaniac and immodest but also insolent - which reminds me of a politician... what was his name again?)
(And there are many things that connect you - think of 1652 - 1654)
(Not only megalomaniac and immodest but also insolent - which reminds me of a politician... what was his name again?)
Oh: WOW - Google reminds me - the words jumps up in the right corner of my computer display - "Second Christmas Day - Tomorrow"
Had I but known! Thank you, Google!
I wish you a Happy New Year - Oud en Nieuw - and "Stay with me!" dear friends!
Britta XXX
PS: If you are learning Dutch too - or want to make some educated guesses - this is my new blog: www.brittasnederlands.blogspot.com
I wish you a Happy New Year - Oud en Nieuw - and "Stay with me!" dear friends!
Britta XXX
PS: If you are learning Dutch too - or want to make some educated guesses - this is my new blog: www.brittasnederlands.blogspot.com
Languages are a fascinating world!
ReplyDeleteGood Luck with your new blog!
Thank you, Duta! Yes, languages are fascinating and insight giving (also insights how people see the world). I hope I can share a few of those too.
DeleteUs English are very lazy with languages (you may have noticed) because everyone with two languages always has English as a second. It is very dangerous when airline pilots revert to their original language before landing. Frohe Weihnachten.
ReplyDeleteHaha - I think under stress people change to their mother tongue - under ultimate stress they might cry for their mama.
DeleteFrohe Weihnachten und ein Glückliches Neues Jahr auch für dich und H.I., Tom!
No danger of losing me Britta. I am always here and if it is not as a blog friend I will still be your friend over here in England via email or text. Happy Christmas! Rachel
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, dear Rachel! These days I thought of you very often - and yes: we will meet each other, I am sure! Happy New Year! XXX
DeleteHappy Christmas Britta.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Yale - and I wish you peace and joy!
DeleteYou've made so much progress with your Dutch in just one year! I can't read your blog but I do find it impressive. I hope you had a pleasant Christmas day.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Shawn! This Christmas is wonderful, and I am happy. And I wish you the same!
DeleteI had a look at your Dutch blog and am duly impressed as well! From an (unimpressive) monolinguist, I wish you many happy returns of the Season!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pipistrello! As Tom wrote: it is easy for English and American people: all around the world your language is spoken (especially in the Netherlands - they see all your movies in original English and laugh about the synchronised versions in Germany).
DeleteYou put me to shame Britta ... a blog in Dutch ..... you are such a clever-clogs { pun intended !!! }
ReplyDeleteWishingyou and yours a wonderful 2019. XXXX
Haha, Jackie - the clogs are worn by the neighbour above (!) me - at twelve o'clock at night...) I wish you a beautiful, wonderful 2019! XXXX
DeleteOnce I thought of writing a blog of German news stories translated word for word in English. I think nobody would understand it, so I haven't done it.
ReplyDeleteI would think that very, very interesting to read your German blog! And maybe I would understand - So: give it a try! Happy New Year, Gwil!
DeleteHappy new year! I have a Dutch friend and, to my anglophone ears, Dutch sounds quite extraordinary. It always seems to be full of rich, varied and interesting noises - a real vocal performance! I envy Dutch speakers.
ReplyDeleteThank you, and a Happy New Year! Dutch sounds interesting, I agree - the Belgians speak a bit softer.
DeleteBritta, hello! Will you send me an email: jnoragon@gmail.com. I've lost your email, and want to stay in touch.
ReplyDelete