Some words travel accross languages, some like Hoover started life as a Brand for a product others like weekend have been imported into languages like French as there was nothing prior.
How many do you know and are there new ones coming in like iPod?
2006-10-30 11:12:07 · 7 answers · asked by philipscottbrooks 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Graeme C is not strictly correct. Latin forms the basis for the Romance tongues but a lot of words have evolved via vulgate Latin to Spanish, Italian, French, Romanian etc.
This misses out all the words that are Greek, Germanic or Slavic, and then we have the Arabic, Indian and Chinese tongues. Words like verandah and bungalow have nothing to do with Latin. Australian English is littered with words from people who had never heard of Europe let alone Latin.
2006-10-30 11:56:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is very true...unless you're in Germany. They have their own 'unique' way of using global English, eg: BBQ = Grill Party, or "Cool!" pronounced "Cooel!" They also love to use English phrases ( usually out of context ) like: "and last but not least" or my favourite, "Top-fit wellness" we'd likely say "Complete wellbeing" I've been here for a couple of years and still find it funny the way Germans adapt or completely change the original meanings of words and phrases.
2006-10-30 11:27:15 · answer #2 · answered by JMac 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot of languages say "computer" or il computer or computadora, etc... Also I've heard "il weekend" and such... I'm sure iPod will become one soon enough.
Of course, many brand names have become universal but I don't know if that really counts. I know there's others but I'm drawing a blank right now!
2006-10-30 11:31:41 · answer #3 · answered by SweetestSarah 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
computer seems to be a very common one. it's komputer in Indonesian and computerdora in Spanish, but European Spanish and French have their own word for it. OK is universally understood as "is I love You" and f**k!
2006-10-30 21:29:50 · answer #4 · answered by pugsley 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in Polish;
weekend = weekend
computer = komputer
laptop = laptop
jam = dzem(same pronounciation as english)
Trainers = Adidasy
and many more!
2006-10-31 03:41:32 · answer #5 · answered by jojounia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try learning some Latin then you will see where all laguage is more or less derived from.
2006-10-30 11:31:21 · answer #6 · answered by Graeme C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Taxi !
2006-10-30 11:19:32 · answer #7 · answered by Ben H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋