Stars

[Zonkie]

Although *mfg* also has another meaning when it is put without the two stars and all capitalized, then it means "mit freundlichen Gr??en", which is the German phrase for "Sincerely"...

[Eero Ränik]

I know that...
Also, it could be translated as "with friendly greetings"...

[Zonkie]

Hmm, that would make English as strange as German already is...
People have been arguing about what is the most polite way to end a letter and which way is supposedly friendly, but really rude in German etc...

[Eero Ränik]

Hmm, that would make English as strange as German already is...
People have been arguing about what is the most polite way to end a letter and which way is supposedly friendly, but really rude in German etc...

I guess you just can't translate German directly...

[Oliver]

I can understand a little German but not much

[distantvoices]

I have never ever read anywhere in a letter from england: with friendly greetings. Such a formula just doesn't exist. In england,they would consider it queer usage of their language.

you'd be amazed if you read the greeting formulas in french letters:
Veulliez accepter l'expression de mes sentiments les plus distinguees.

This is a shortened example of greeting forumlas like I had to learn at one of the schools I have attended a coupla years ago.

ps. Direct translation of sincerly - this is a flexion of sincere which in turns means "aufrichtig, herzlich" in german and "honest, heartily" in english - so I'd translate sincerly to a simple "herzlichst" or "aufrichtigst" - which in turns is nothing one would write in a business letter written in german.

so, ending this my sermon with a passionate: HOWS THE GOING GOSH?, I say Good bye ... just cuz it'z time to. *bg*

[Eero Ränik]

Yeah, English and German (and French) aren't as similar as they look like...

[SGreenslade]

As far as I know, there are too many gaps between cultures and languages. Yes, it's all very interesting, but it's a lot of effort and not many people make that effort to appeal to locals when they travel somewhere. For foreigners, it's sometimes very easy to be left out not to mention be taken advantage of. Well, thank god for questions and the people who are decent enough to answer them.

[Wilco23]

Maybe this topic should be renamed 'Languages'

[Oliver]

Yeah...there are a lot of language topics at the moment.

[SGreenslade]

Well here's an example:

Si vous ne comprenez pas cette phrase, c'est que vous ne parlez pas le fran?ais.

[Wilco23]

Oh yeah, saya kurang senang

[distantvoices]

@sgreenslade:

mais biensur que je comprends tes mots )).

Merde, qu'il ya presque dix ans j'ai parle le francais le dernier fois.

Better say it in english: My french is a little rusty

[Eero Ränik]

I understand that phrase too...

[Wilco23]

I haven't spoken French since high school, and even then I think all I could say was "ou est la banke?"
(I don't think I spelt this right, but it sounds something like that, I think....)