Hi, Wednesday, July 16, 2003, 11:14:41 AM, you wrote:
> Bob Walkden wrote: >> >> We're not the only ones. The French do it too. The Pont > Neuf (New >> Bridge) was built in the 1500s - and is the oldest bridge > over the >> Seine. > The literal translation of "Pont Neuf" is "Bridge 9". Where > did "New" come from? Convergent evolution. Different Latin words - novis and novem - have evolved into the same French word neuf, which has stayed in the language and evolved further into nouveau/nouvelle. Neuf, like ancien (which is a false friend), is quite a subtle word. We don't really have a direct equivalent and normally use 'new' for both 'nouveau' and 'neuf'. > "Neu" is German for "New". The French words for "New" are > nouveau and nouvelle (m/f). This would mean that the > literal translation into French of "New Bridge" would be > "Pont Nouveau". > Perhaps we should discuss this further over a slightly > chilled glass of "Beaujolais Neuf". <g> Pas de probleme on that one! -- Cheers, Bob mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
