| Doitsu |
05-11-2012 07:02 PM |
Twain, Mark: The Awful German Language. v1. 11 May 2012
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Mark Twain (1835 – 1910) was an American author and humorist. He seems to have become fascinated with the German language and mentioned it in several speeches that he gave in Europe.
At a speech in Vienna in 1899, he said:
Quote:
I have not sufficiently mastered German, to allow my using it with impunity. My collection of fourteen-syllable German words is still incomplete. But I have just added to that collection a jewel—a veritable jewel. I found it in a telegram from Linz, and it contains ninety-five letters:
Personaleinkommensteuerschätzungskommissions-mitgliedsreisekostenrechnungs-ergänzungsrevisionsfund
If I could get a similar word engraved upon my tombstone I should sleep beneath it in peace.
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"The Awful German Language" was originally published as as Appendix D in his 1880 book "A Tramp Abroad."
Here are some quotes from this essay:
Quote:
My philological studies have satisfied me that a gifted person ought to learn English (barring spelling and pronouncing), in 30 hours, French in 30 days, and German in 30 years.
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Quote:
In German, a young lady has no sex, while a turnip has. Think what overwrought reverence that shows for the turnip, and what callous disrespect for the girl.
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(I deliberately decided against correcting the numerous German typos and grammar mistakes in the original text.) |
