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View Full Version : Origon of \"Reich\"


Proconsul
09-21-2002, 03:54
Maybe this is not the right forum to ask but I don't know any better one...

Why is it that the the first word in first/second/ third reich is english, while reich is obviously german? I mean, one would expect them to be both from the same language.

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Confuzius says: "Do not worry that people don't know you: worry that you don't know them!"
BlackWatch McKenna
09-21-2002, 04:01
They're in the same language when you say them in German.
Proconsul
09-21-2002, 04:04
I know that, of course, since I speak German as my Mother language http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/wink.gif.

However, what I'm wondering, why are they different in English. I. e., why not Drittes Reich, or Third Empire?
BlackWatch McKenna
09-21-2002, 04:06
And on a serious note: I've just asked my German Brother-In-Law to explain it to me.

"Because you don't translate the word Reich into English. You could call it Kingdom or Empire if you want to."
Proconsul
09-21-2002, 04:20
*sigh* You don't seem to get my point. I understand that it's because you don't translate it. The question is WHY is it not translated.

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Confuzius says: "Do not worry that people don't know you: worry that you don't know them!"
DarthPharazon
09-21-2002, 04:29
You could call it Kingdom

Wouldn't kingdom be Konigsreich? http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/smile.gif (I don't really know, BTW).

I thought that Reich was translated...
the Erstens Reich is/was known as the HRE.
the Zweiten Reich is/was the German Empire.
BlackWatch McKenna
09-21-2002, 04:40
Well, my frumpy Berlin Brother-In-Law said, "you dont translate it".

He meant that it's one of those words that really doesnt translate ... kind of like "Sandwich" ... it's just what it is.

It's Reich(tm)-a-rific!

He said if you DID translate it, then it could be like Kingdom or Empire.
Jaguara
09-21-2002, 05:42
Why don't we translate "Blitzgrieg"? Why don't we translate "Tsar"? Why don't we translate "Khan"? Why don't we translate "poutine"?

Some words just are not translated. Does anybody even know why? Sometimes it is just easier. English, in particular, is just a spattering of different languages anyway...I bet you could have a field day picking out all the German words.

Jaguara
Emperor Theodoripiklos IV
09-21-2002, 08:22
Because ther was only one Third REich http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/wink.gif and saying Third Empire simply does not give it the punch.
BTW in germany "Imperium" is also used
Jaguara
09-21-2002, 23:49
Quote Originally posted by Emperor Theodoripiklos IV:
Because ther was only one Third REich http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/wink.gif and saying Third Empire simply does not give it the punch.
BTW in germany "Imperium" is also used[/QUOTE]

Exactly, "Third Reich" leaves nothing to doubt...

Jaguara
AvramL
09-22-2002, 02:13
I think people just thought reich sounded cooler.
Del
09-22-2002, 22:54
Whenever a word can be adopted into the language without substitution with a preexisting one, this is better. The meaning is more precise and less mistakeable, and it richens our lexicon.

Del
Jaguara
09-23-2002, 06:42
As I look at this now, I realize that it really no longer belongs in "History and Culture"...off to OT it goes.

Jaguara