The ten words that reflect the changes happening in the world around us

From: BBC (title: 'Firkle', 'Gluschdich' and more: 10 words we learned in 2024 that will expand your mind)
Translation: Telegrafi.com

Of the words that describe the search for stalking for food in the Arctic, to new expressions that reflect the nuances of climate change around the world, during 2024 we explored how languages ​​can help our minds travel and delve into other cultures. We learned about the twins who invent secret languages and for researchers discovering lost writings from ancient trade routes. We have acquired a word from Amish for easy food cravings and we've heard how researchers in the Antarctic develop their own jargon during the long, dark months of isolation.

There are thousands of languages ​​in the world, and new ones are still being discovered, including lost writings from the ancient past. However, according to the Living Tongues Institute for Endangered Languages, over three thousand languages ​​are now VULNERABLE and on the verge of extinction. Learning, talking and enjoying them can keep them alive for us and for future generations. Here are some of the most intriguing expressions we've learned from languages ​​around the world during our reporting in 2024. They're listed alphabetically – click on each word to read the full story behind it:

Ausgeapert (Alpine German)

An old word used in some German-speaking areas in the Alps, referring to ancient bodies or artefacts exposed by melting glaciers. With the effects of global warming, it is also used to describe the consequences of the dramatic retreat of glaciers, which are revealing lost worlds in the high mountains and changing our understanding of history in the Alps.

Cůme či'k t'ê? (sarchki language)

Meaning "how are you?", this expression comes from a language spoken on the British Crown Dependency island of Sark, off the French coast. This language has only three native speakers. It is an old variant of the Norman language, which developed when the Norse Vikings settled in what is now Normandy in France and their language merged with that of the local population.

There is something special about the language of my heritage, the language I was spoken to as a child – Rose Fisher.

Ealát (Northern Lappish)

An almost untranslatable word from the Sami people of the North, used by reindeer herders in the Arctic, referring to the favorable conditions that allow reindeer to forage for nutritious lichen under the snow.

Northern Lapp and other dialects of this language are closely related to the way of life of the indigenous Sami people in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. For example, there are more than 300 of their own words for snow and many words for different types of deer (including some that describe "scared deer"). However, the language is changing, as some old words for weather, animals and snow are no longer relevant in the rapidly changing Arctic climate.

Firkle (Antarctic Research Station English)

A word used by researchers in the Antarctic that means "to look for something" or "to be busy with something". Isolated for six months, scientists at the Rothera Research Station on Adelaide Island in the Antarctic developed their own accent and jargon. Studying these changes helped linguists better understand how languages ​​and human speech patterns evolve.

On a larger scale, this also provides clues to how varieties such as British and American English diverged.

"We wanted to replicate, as closely as we could, what happened when the Mayflower sailed to North America and the people on board were isolated for a long time," says Jonathan Harrington, professor of phonetics and speech processing at "Ludwig-Maximilian" University of Munich. "Six months is not a long time, so we saw very small changes. But we noticed that some vowels were shifted".

Gluschdich (Pennsylvania German)

A word that means: "I'm not hungry, but I like to eat"! Pennsylvania German is a Germanic language that arose among the settlers in the USA in the 18th century and is now used mainly by Amish and Mennonite religious communities. Despite being so culture-specific, it also ties back to the origins of a beloved and widespread American holiday: Groundhog Day, called "Grundsaudaag" in Pennsylvania German.

Due to the rapid growth of the Amish population, the language is actually thriving and developing.

"As a linguist and language enthusiast, I love all languages. But there's something special about the language of my heritage, the language that was spoken to me as a child," says Rose Fisher, a PhD candidate in German linguistics and language science at Pennsylvania State University, who grew up in the Amish community in the county. of Lancaster in Pennsylvania.

Although she now lives in an English-speaking environment, she adds, “I love hearing Pennsylvania German spoken around me, and I hope one day to be around it more often and speak it more easily. For me, that means I'm home." She especially likes to use words from her mother tongue that don't quite exist in English - like "gluschdich".

Goaan (Patua language of Jamaica)

An expression that conveys joy. The Patua language of Jamaica, also known as the Creole language, arose in Jamaica in the 17th century as a mixture of dialects of English and various African languages. Today it is also spoken in Jamaican diaspora communities around the world, and young people are reclaiming it with pride.

“There is joy and excitement when one Creole speaker meets another. They enter this unique space of mutual understanding," says Shawna-Kaye Tucker, professor of applied linguistics at the University of Toronto in Canada. New speakers are also mixing this language with other linguistic influences from around the world, adding a faster pace to its development.

Inyeon (Korean language)

A complicated word with several meanings, including some kind of default relationship. The word is at the center of the Oscar-nominated film, Past Lives, by Celine Song. As one of the characters says: "It means providence or ... luck." But it is specifically related to relationships between people. I think it comes from Buddhism and reincarnation. It is one inyeon if two strangers pass each other on the street and their clothes accidentally touch. This means that there must have been something between them in their previous lives."

Pass theke aalo (Bengali language)

A phrase coined to refer to a proper transition to renewable energy – meaning, literally, “from gloom to hope”. Words related to climate change and efforts to reduce emissions can be very difficult to translate, as they are often abstract or metaphorical. But specialized translators are finding creative ways to coin meaningful terms and help negotiators and communities take action against global warming.

Lóng juǎn fēng (mandarin language)

Which means "tornado" - literally, "wind of whirling dragon". Mythical dragons in different cultures and the words and expressions about them reveal the ways people around the world have tried to understand the natural world, wildlife and natural phenomena. Through them, they have sought to find meaning for their place in the universe.

Pure Life (Costa Rican Spanish)

Literally, "pure life," this expression refers to a sense of optimism and a uniquely positive outlook on life. "It's absolutely part of the Costa Rican ethos and identity," says Víctor Sánchez, professor of linguistics at the University of Costa Rica. Its meaning has evolved over time and now conveys a sense of gratitude – that even when faced with difficulties, you can find reasons to be grateful and see the positive side of things. /Telegraph/