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What are some cool bits of language did you learn? (hexbear.net)
submitted 2 years ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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This could be mechanical things like the order of adjectives, or more complex/personal things on your journey of learning another language.

I want to start learning Norwegian again and I remembered learning a lot about citrus fruits as I went on Wikipedia adjacent trips.

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[-] [email protected] 9 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

there's one cool language feature that English doesn't have and it's really annoying - a way to answer questions posed in the negative.

if someone asks something like "don't you want to come with me?", whether you answer "yes" or "no", it's going to confuse them. you normally have to repeat the sentence, "yes, I want to come with you" or "no, I don't want to come with you".

in my native language (Assyrian), you can say "dach" which would mean the "yes, I want to come with you". I think in German they say "doch", in Norwegian it's "jo"?

[-] [email protected] 7 points 2 years ago

So basically a word to say "I am saying yes to you, the person?" That sounds really convenient. It's like a reassurance you're cooperating or in agreement with the person. Like you're on their side.

this post was submitted on 15 Dec 2023
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