Translator Lounge

What is wrong with languages that all of them seem to be switching more and more towards the English language?

Whatever the language is, whether I can actually read it or not, there are more and more recognisable words in any given language because those words were simply taken from English.

German and Dutch for example are full fetched, overly complete languages themselves and yet are taking on English words by the day, even if good, and in many cases, even words are available in their own language. Very often the English word makes no sense at all because the precise meaning of the German or Dutch word is completely lost when using the English one. Take the word “manager” for example. It is widely used in both German and Dutch, yet lacks a definite meaning. Nowadays most employees are called managers, simply to give them a title they might be proud of, even though they are still salespeople, cleaning staff, etc. Every time this word is used an explanation is needed: Sales manager, Executive managing director, Manager of the hygiene department (I love this one!), and whatever else they’ve come up with. So why use this English word and not just use the original word of the language in question? Why is it so appealing to use English words? Do people think that they are regarded smarter because of their use? Are you actually smarter because you know some foreign words (and might have forgotten them in your own language)? I have my doubts.

The infiltration is all over the languages. Even in the world of education, Dutch speaks of “performance assessment”, “assessoren”, “summatief”, et cetera although perfect Dutch words are available and none of the abovementioned words existed in the Dutch language prior to 2002.

To give English speakers an indication of just how ridiculous this really is I will give some examples of how it would be in case English were infested with Dutch and German influences:

“In accordance with the safetyresearchanalysis conducted by the municipalplanningdepartment of South London, the safety of pedestriancrossings is far to look for.”

Sounds nice, doesn’t it?

Let’s try another one: “It is really not believable that the taxes are raised again!”

Or: “I can’t against it anymore!” (=I can’t take it anymore)
“She comes always ready.” (=She always reaches an orgasm)

So, how about that? Can you believe that in Holland and Germany we voluntarily speak that way? Well, you better believe it!

So let’s go back to a previous question. Why do we do this? Do we actually think it makes us look more intelligent? Are we more sophisticated because we throw in English words? Well, you might answer for yourself but as far as I am concerned it makes us (especially the translators among us who translate this way) look rather silly. Unfortunately I have a feeling that these English patients will never be cured!

Until the next time. I wish all of you a fantastic week.

Kind regards,

Peter van der Hoek

Peter van der Hoek, IM Translations. IM-Translations is registered as Isla Margarita Translations, C.A. and is located on Isla Margarita, a tax-free, tropical island for the coast of Venezuela. You are welcome to contact Peter at peter@im-translations.com.