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WORLDLY WORDY WORDLE
Fun with Language
To have, to be, to love
After completing today’s Wordle, I’m reminded of languages and how they work. I speak two languages relatively well and have learned bits and pieces of several others. One of the things that I’ve always liked about learning languages is that there are different feelings for how words and phrases are put together.
An easy, common example is with age. In English we say, “I am 50 years old.” In French, you would say “J’ai cinquante ans”, which if you translate it literally word for word means that I have 50 years.
Think about the mental difference there. You are 50 years old, so it’s a defining part of you. It’s a thing that you are. If you instead have 50 years, it’s something that you’ve gained. Not only does it not define who you are, you’ve earned those years.
Another favorite is “I miss you” which, in French is translated to “Tu me manques”. So instead of me missing you, you are missing me. Again, the sentiment feels a little different.
Another feature of many languages is gender pronouns for inanimate objects. In French, Spanish, Italian and many other Romance languages, objects are given a gender. The table is feminine, but the cheese is masculine. The house and the car are feminine, but the school and the…
