Comments on: International City Names http://kennethbirch.wordpress.com/2007/04/05/international-city-names/ Trying to make sense of the world, Church, God and life in general Thu, 31 Dec 2009 07:02:57 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: kennethbirch http://kennethbirch.wordpress.com/2007/04/05/international-city-names/#comment-727 kennethbirch Fri, 06 Apr 2007 11:33:01 +0000 http://kennethbirch.wordpress.com/2007/04/05/international-city-names/#comment-727 Yes, the larger the language, the more likely it is to find multiple names. Sadly, Århus is too small, while Gothenburg (Göteborg) makes the list. So does Elsinore (Helsingør), but that's more likely due to Shakespeare. The same goes for the size of the country. In Mandarin, the U.S. is called Meiguo (meaning "beautiful country"), while Denmark is just Danmai (a transliteration). And as for English borrowing its names from intermediate languages, that's hardly confined to place names. Pretty much any word in English is taken from somewhere else, as my old Latin teacher would be more than eager to point out. Yes, the larger the language, the more likely it is to find multiple names. Sadly, Århus is too small, while Gothenburg (Göteborg) makes the list. So does Elsinore (Helsingør), but that’s more likely due to Shakespeare.

The same goes for the size of the country. In Mandarin, the U.S. is called Meiguo (meaning “beautiful country”), while Denmark is just Danmai (a transliteration).

And as for English borrowing its names from intermediate languages, that’s hardly confined to place names. Pretty much any word in English is taken from somewhere else, as my old Latin teacher would be more than eager to point out.

]]> By: Torsten Pedersen http://kennethbirch.wordpress.com/2007/04/05/international-city-names/#comment-726 Torsten Pedersen Fri, 06 Apr 2007 10:30:17 +0000 http://kennethbirch.wordpress.com/2007/04/05/international-city-names/#comment-726 Sorry I meant to say: "will almost always have its own name for a foreign city of consequence" and "Århus simply is not important enough to get its own English name". Kenneth, there should be a delete button in your comments section for people like me ;-). Sorry I meant to say:

“will almost always have its own name for a foreign city of consequence” and “Århus simply is not important enough to get its own English name”.

Kenneth, there should be a delete button in your comments section for people like me ;-) .

]]> By: Torsten Pedersen http://kennethbirch.wordpress.com/2007/04/05/international-city-names/#comment-725 Torsten Pedersen Fri, 06 Apr 2007 10:26:28 +0000 http://kennethbirch.wordpress.com/2007/04/05/international-city-names/#comment-725 Notice, however, that if a language has more global asperations it will usually asert its own name for a foreign place. For example, English and French, will almost always have its own name foreign city of consequence (Århus simply is important enough to get its own English name). Danish often follows German (for example Venedig and Neaple), or else leaves the place name 'unaltered'. The most annoying thing, however, is when foreign languages follow other foreign languages in naming places. For example, the Flemish city of Brugge is called Bruge in English derived from the French name of the city (Ok know Belgium with is two languages is not a good example, but its the only one I can think of right now). Copenhagen is derived (I belive) from the German Kopenhagen. Notice, however, that if a language has more global asperations it will usually asert its own name for a foreign place. For example, English and French, will almost always have its own name foreign city of consequence (Århus simply is important enough to get its own English name). Danish often follows German (for example Venedig and Neaple), or else leaves the place name ‘unaltered’.

The most annoying thing, however, is when foreign languages follow other foreign languages in naming places. For example, the Flemish city of Brugge is called Bruge in English derived from the French name of the city (Ok know Belgium with is two languages is not a good example, but its the only one I can think of right now). Copenhagen is derived (I belive) from the German Kopenhagen.

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