Pagoda SL Group

Off Topic => Way Off Topic => Topic started by: Rolf-Dieter ✝︎ on March 04, 2014, 19:30:37

Title: The longest word … Look inside to find out :)
Post by: Rolf-Dieter ✝︎ on March 04, 2014, 19:30:37

What is the longest word in your first language? I know we have many members here from different parts of the world. Some have inherited the language from there parents others have been born in that part of the world.

The Germans have a tendencey to string together as one word several others to represent a meaning. The technical German words have many of the kind, however the longest ever German word would be

Donaudampfschiffahrtselektrizitätenhauptbetrirbauuterbeamtenge

Quite a tonge twister

It means …

Association for subordinate officials of the head office management of the Donau steamboat electrical service.

at 79 letters it is the longest German word that found it’s way into the Guinness Book of Recorsds.

So what is the longest one in your Mothertonge? and don’t forget to tell us what it means :)

Title: Re: The longest word … Look inside to find out :)
Post by: garymand on March 04, 2014, 22:47:39

I expect the Germans have the market on long words due to the custom of using old words to name new things.  I wonder what the German work for Computer, IC, or Disc Drive would be?  Maybe "computerinformationstorageofbitsrepresentedbyonesandzerosmechanicallylocatedandorganizedinthreedimensionalspaceandreadbyelectromagneticheadsflyingsubmicronsabovehighlypolishedmagneticcoatingsonaluminumdiscs."  Sorry I ran out of breath. :-*

Title: Re: The longest word … Look inside to find out :)
Post by: Rolf-Dieter ✝︎ on March 05, 2014, 00:28:25

Ah you mean .... ---> "computer information storage of bits represented by ones and zeros mechanically located and organized in three dimensional space and read by electromagnetic heads flying sub microns above highly polished magnetic coatings on aluminum discs."

Very funny indeed :) I guess if Albert Einstein be alive today he might help out on the German translation for this ... I don't think Google is ready for this at this point in time :)

My best interpretation would be ....

Computerinformationsspeichervonbitseinsenundnullenmechanischentferntundineinemdreidimensionalenraumorganisiertunddurchelektromagnetischeköpfe-fliegenuntermikrometerüberhochglanzpoliertemagnetischebeschichtungenaufaluminiumscheibengelesendargestellt.

I had to introduce a break (-) the word was simply far too long LOL and went off the page Peter would not like it :) on my monitor anyway LOL

Sorry I don't have a German Spell Check that would qualify to check this out.  ;D

Title: Re: The longest word … Look inside to find out :)
Post by: ghenne on March 05, 2014, 09:30:21

Mark Twain learned German in his middle age. He write a great essay on this: "The Awful German Language":

http://www.crossmyt.com/hc/linghebr/awfgrmlg.html

In his book, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, he invokes this spell (original typeset in old German font to make it more formidable):

"Konstantinopolitanischedudelsackpfeiffermachergesellschaft"

Title: Re: The longest word … Look inside to find out :)
Post by: Peter van Es on March 05, 2014, 09:57:25

In Dutch:

Kindercarnavalsoptochtvoorbereidingswerkzaamhedencomitéleden (according to this website http://www.sevendays.nl/artikel/173401)

Means

Childrens Carnaval Parade Preparation Committee members

Peter

Title: Re: The longest word … Look inside to find out :)
Post by: pj on March 05, 2014, 13:54:11

After reading the Mark Twain article, I now understand how Rolf-Dieter thinks.  :)

Title: Re: The longest word … Look inside to find out :)
Post by: Rolf-Dieter ✝︎ on March 05, 2014, 15:26:30

Peter (pj) just wondering what gave you that idea? when there are three other languages floating around in my brain :)

Title: Re: The longest word … Look inside to find out :)
Post by: gugel on March 05, 2014, 17:43:17

It's misspelled.  i believe it should be:

Donaudampfschiffahrtselektrizitätenhauptbetriebbauunterbeamtegen

Title: Re: The longest word … Look inside to find out :)
Post by: garymand on March 05, 2014, 20:29:05

 ;D (Silicon Valley speak, for very funny Rolf-Deiter, much enjoyed.)

Title: Re: The longest word … Look inside to find out :)
Post by: JamesL on March 06, 2014, 09:33:13

floccinaucinihilipilification

or

antidisestablishmentarianism

The former values something as worthless, the latter opposition to the change in the "church" in the UK. 28 letters each, if I recall. Excluding chemical compounds

Title: Re: The longest word … Look inside to find out :)
Post by: GGR on March 07, 2014, 02:49:49

In French : anticonstitutionnellement, meaning "in an anti-constitutional way".