What is the closest language to English?

Fabian B aus D   Fri Jul 29, 2005 2:45 pm GMT
@Waha: No, klar is absolutely the same as clear. If you wanted to ask somebody if he was ready, you've got to say "fertig".
The Norvegian   Fri Jul 29, 2005 2:47 pm GMT
In Norway Klar is the same as Clear and Ready if i say "Are you ready ?"
Er du KLAR? and is it clear? er det klart?
Sander   Fri Jul 29, 2005 2:50 pm GMT
Waha,

=>When you say klar in German then you mean Ready? <=
No that's with Dutch "Klaar".

Dutch days;

Maandag (moon day)
Dinsdag (Gemanic god "Tiwaz")
Woensdag (Wodan's day)
Donderdag (Thunder day)
Vrijdag (Freia, a goddess)
Zaterdag (Lat. Saturn)
Zondag (Sun day)
Sander   Fri Jul 29, 2005 2:52 pm GMT
The Dutch translation of "clear" is "duidelijk".
The Swede   Fri Jul 29, 2005 2:58 pm GMT
The pronounceation in Swedish is quite the same as in Norwegian.
I have found more words: gate-gata find-finna have-hava say-säga but we always says "ha" to it.
The Swede   Fri Jul 29, 2005 3:04 pm GMT
är-are or "er" as it is in Norwegian and Danish. There are a lot of simularities
Rick Johnson   Fri Jul 29, 2005 3:05 pm GMT
The word saga is also used in English for a type of story.

The word that I was also interested in that appears in english landscapes is "mere", meaning lake. Does anyone have any idea where that word "mere" originates?
The Swede   Fri Jul 29, 2005 3:16 pm GMT
Well, säga is not saga but we have saga too!
"mere" is unknown for me the Swedish word for mere is sjö. But maybe mere is related to the German name "meer" or italian "mare" but both means sea. Otherwise you can lock it up at www.dictionary.com
Sander   Fri Jul 29, 2005 3:17 pm GMT
Yes, Dutch "meer" means "lake". (note German Meer means sea)
Jaan   Fri Jul 29, 2005 3:22 pm GMT
Is it true that Norvegian understand Swedish and Danish more than the swedish understand the danish ? and the danish understand the swedish? And that both swedish and danish understand norvegian?
Sander   Fri Jul 29, 2005 3:27 pm GMT
Jaan,

Here's a topic about that (on the language section)

http://www.antimoon.com/forum/t262.htm
Fabian B aus D   Fri Jul 29, 2005 3:28 pm GMT
I know a very good dictionary of etymology.
http://www.etymonline.com
With this dictionary, it's very easy to follow the development of different words and their roots.
The Norvegian   Fri Jul 29, 2005 3:31 pm GMT
I have no problem speaking with people from Denmark or Sweden sometimes i can read a danish text without realizing that its danish before i see a danish word i have no problem speaking with the danish but i found it easier to speak with swedish i have to consentrate allitle when i am speaking with people from danmark. i have a "half uncle" :P from denmark not far away from germany i understand him but i have o consentrate well i am repeting myself :P you get the point :p
The Swede   Fri Jul 29, 2005 3:36 pm GMT
It´s easier to talk with the norwegians, danish it works too but with some problems. I can read them both.
Sander   Fri Jul 29, 2005 3:38 pm GMT
Fabian,

Do you happen to know why "See" is sea in German but its "Nordsee"?* ;)
did you just 'Germanify' the Dutch "Noordzee" or is it something else?

(*Ostsee as well)