Language comparisons

Posted by ESC on August 26, 2009 at 12:00

In Reply to: Language comparisons posted by Colleen on August 26, 2009 at 08:13:

: Does anyone know of a study that compares phrases in one language, say English, to similar phrases in another language, say German. One example I have is the English saying "Still waters run deep" that in Afrikaans is "Stille water, diepe grond, onder draai die duiwel rond." The Afrikaans saying can be translated as "Under still waters the devil swirls around," a markedly sinister variation on the English.

: Any other examples would be greatly appreciated.

I don't recall seeing anything like that during my tour of U.S. bookstores -- online and in the real world. Not a separate book. Some references have similar phrases from other countries included in an entry.

• Language comparisons James Briggs 27/August/09