Re:Why the German language has so many great words
by sergiosgc on Saturday March 12, 2016 @06:19AM
(#11272382)
That example, specifically, all languages do. What I find unique in English is that it is very onomatopoeic. What is a "boom box"? It's a box that does the sound "boom". When you "crash" your car, that's the sound that occurs. A staple, when applied, sounds like "staple", as much as a zipper produces the "zip" sound when pulled. It is quite unique.
Re:Why the German language has so many great words
by gandarojin on Saturday March 12, 2016 @07:27AM
(#11272575)
The German word for “staple” is »Tacker«, which is onomatopoeic.
If you wanted to say that two cars crashed, you could use:
»Zwei Autos (prallten|krachten) gegeneinander.«
Both »prallen« and »krachen« are onomatopoeic.
Onomatopoeia is common in German as well.
I think all languages do this. Why would English be specifically better at it than german?