1/4 question
calbert at tiac.net
calbert at tiac.net
Thu Mar 29 14:47:52 CST 2001
Ok, now I'm getting pissed off. :-)!!!!!!!
I have no objection to turning this issue over to a native speaker, but
I wonder why? In the absence of any qualified criticism of
LANGENSCHEIDT'S HANDWORTERBUCH I would offer the
following -
The word "nacht" needs no further exploration, I assume. This
leaves the possible meanings of "lager" (we currently lack a sound
reason to conclude that the compound word somehow takes on a
meaning radically different from that suggested by its components).
The rather imposing tome to which I have referred defines "lager" as
any number of variations on the theme of "camp" and "bed",
including "couch". L'sH does not suggest that there is another
idiomatic usage of the compound. It would require quite a
philological leap to conflate this with what Terrance has provided
regarding the origins of the term in the english language.
Maybe I should just be pleased with all the attention........
love,
cfa
> What you say is true, unless there is a similar usage of the term in
> German. That's why I said "*could* be quite accurate" -- I don't know
> if that usage exists in German. But the possibility that the English
> usage derives from the meaning of "quarter" of which "Nachtlager" is a
> literal translation, makes it seem possible to me that "Nachtlager"
> can be used in German to refer to the mercy or lack thereof offered by
> a conquering army. Make sense? We would need to hear from a native
> speaker, say Otto, to find out more.
>
> Jeremy
>
> calbert at tiac.net wrote:
>
> > > Terrance wrote:
> > >
> > > > It is
> > > > possible
> > > > due to the fact that the victor would have to provide his
> > > > captive with
> > > > temporary *Quarters.*
> > >
> > > If this is true then the German translation in Otto's edition of
> > > V., "kein Nachtlager", could be quite accurate.
> >
> > In a babelfish kinda way. There is no question that there remains a
> > LITERAL connection between the two, but I would suggest that any
> > german walking away from the reading of this passage with
> > "Nachtlager" on its mind has been poorly served by the translator.
> >
> > love,
> > cfa
>
>
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