The curse of polygottalism

[muckefuck]

I had a very pleasant lunch today with a coworker. (At the end she said, "That was very enjoyable. We almost didn't mention work at all!") At one point I wanted to tell her what kind of novel I was reading at home. I started to say "policier" but realised I needed another word because that wasn't English. But all I could think of as an alternative was "Krimi". After struggling for a bit, I finally just confessed my confusion and she said, "Detective fiction?" (Fortunately, she's the sympathetic sort who would never accuse me of showing off.)

Comments

I can relate a bit

[drubear.livejournal.com]

even though I don't have anywhere near the language range you do.

Some non-English words/phrases just make more "sense" in describing things to me: "cursing" in our home was "ludza boghski" (Slovak - "Lord God") or just "ludza" 'cause that's what my father grew up with.

From what Jack tells me, German has many exquisitely precise words (e.g. shaudenfreude (sp?).)

Re: I can relate a bit

[muckefuck.livejournal.com]

Oh, it does! I've listed a few favourites here.

(And it's Schadenfreude--though I confess, I like the idea of "Schauderfreude". That would be the kind of joy that gives you shivers!)