Comments on: Three-quarters two

By: Shawna Lee

Shawna Lee — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 23:54:39 +0000

In reply to Michael. Fascinating! Thanks for the specifics.

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:40:03 +0000

No, both use the “halb neun” format (for those who aren’t familiar: 8:30 is expressed as “half nine”.)
But I think there’s some regional variation involved in how often people use a half-hour as a reference point, i.e. say things like “fünf vor halb neun” (five before half nine, meaning 8:25.) That format is common here, and you can even use (drei)viertel as a reference point, i.e. “fünf vor dreiviertel neun” for 8:40.

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:36:38 +0000

In reply to Shawna Lee. Thanks, I'll look that book up!

By: Shawna Lee

Shawna Lee — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:16:12 +0000

One more thing: I’m glad that I know a little German, enough to get the time example you use. I love fordl neun and dreifordl neun. So efficient and fun to say. Is there a difference between Hochdeutsch and Sacksch for the half hour?

By: Shawna Lee

Shawna Lee — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:10:19 +0000

This is a really fun post, Michael. I find the politics around language usage fascinating. Your post reminded me of a great book I read recently called “You Are What You Speak: Grammar Grouches, Language Laws, and the Politics of Identity” by Robert Lane Greene. He’s a journalist, not a linguist, and talks about how history, politics, race, economics and power shapes language usage around the world. I’m with you on embracing regional language variations and the richness of everyday speech. That’s the living, creative language of people.