(Untitled)

[wwidsith]

I am having one of my periodic attempts to learn some German.  I don't know what it is, the language just seems to slide off me like oil.  So I've been going through some of Rilke's sonnets with a dictionary.  As always, I spend most of the time obsessing over how similar all the words I don't understand are to Old English equivalents.  The first

Comments

[hobnobofjoy]

I can see how s(e)igen went from strain to sigh - a sigh is the effect of straining, I suppose.

I desperately need to learn OE again. But I get taught German next year and I can't wait! GCSE German taught me bugger all apparently.

[wwidsith]

It's a different sigh! But I see what you're saying...

I saw that you were down for some German. I'm so jealous of your course. Anyway, your OE is pretty good isn't it?

[muckefuck]

By all means! Let's increase the semantic load on the syllables /stai/, /stei/ (past tense of sty), and /sai/. Six or seven homophones apiece isn't good enough!

[wwidsith]

I figure, the more opportunity for comic misunderstandings, the better!

[sangarial]

Brilliant stuff Wal, but how the hell do you find the time? Thanks for providing some stuff to mull over other than early modern theology....durr

[wwidsith]

Mainly because Hannah worked all weekend, and I was stuck in the house on my own trying to think of excuses not to go out for a run...