Ooops!

[JBR]

That is one of the problems which was "faced" in that which is now England,
when various Germanic "tribes" settled/invaded various parts of the country.

When these "tribes" settled-down to living in close proximity, trading and even "marrying", the relatively small differences in their individual languages became a "bit of a problem".
Eventually, they just "gave-up" on these small differences and the resultant English language "dropped" many "inflections" - becoming a largely "distributive" language - apart from the few (still inflected) common Verbs
(To Be, To Have, To Run, To See etc.)
and a few "uncommon" plurals.
(Child - Children, Ox - Oxen, Sheep - Sheep etc.)

Hence, English now has no arbitrary Masculine, Feminine or Neuter - these "differences" are used only when it is OBVIOUSLY necessary.
(OK, calling a Ship "She" is one exception!)

Yes, you're absolutely correct. If I ever need to (attempt to) speak German, I shall probably use the incorrect version of 'the', but the important thing is that at least I should be understood. Perhaps in time this aspect of the German language will also become simplified.

 

[JohnD]

Yes, you're absolutely correct. If I ever need to (attempt to) speak German, I shall probably use the incorrect version of 'the', but the important thing is that at least I should be understood. Perhaps in time this aspect of the German language will also become simplified.

It's all perfectly simple.

 

[DetlefSchmitz]

It's all perfectly simple.

You guys should look at learning Icelandic. The word for two is “tveir,” “tvaer,” or “tvo”, all depending.

 

[JBR]

It's all perfectly simple.

View attachment 360124

Oh yes. Perfectly simple!
On the other hand, despite being aware of all the varieties of 'the', how do you know which of the German alternatives to use for any specific noun or object? I know some through regular use, but when a new one comes along how do you know whether it in masc., fem., or neuter?

 

[morqthana]

From what little I know about German, there's probably an unvarying rule.

 

[morqthana]

Hence, English now has no arbitrary Masculine, Feminine or Neuter - these "differences" are used only when it is OBVIOUSLY necessary.
(OK, calling a Ship "She" is one exception!)

Cantonese does not have gendered third-person pronouns.

I know someone who is a native Cantonese speaker, but has also spoken English since childhood, and 50+ years on still sometimes mixes up he/she.

 

[Ragnar_AT]

From what little I know about German, there's probably an unvarying rule.

Yes. The rule is that you have to learn the correct article for each and every noun by heart (native speaker of German here).

 

[RrogerD]

Yes. The rule is that you have to learn the correct article for each and every noun by heart (native speaker of German here).

I imagine the correct version becomes that word. In other words, you're not learning the 'extra' bit but, the thing as a whole. And to say anything other would just not make sense.

Of course, the so-called English speakers of the world still can't get it right, even when it often is so clearly incorrect or doesn't make sense.

"weather there write, your still rong" Lol!

Struggled putting that one together

 

[morqthana]

Don't worry, the English Spelling Society nutcases have a plan...

 

[fixitflav]

that word is schadenfreude

We know. It was a joke!

 

[fixitflav]

Why is/was it ever necessary for inanimate objects to be designated masculine or feminine and have different forms of the definite and indefinite articles?

As my classics teacher many years ago was fond of saying - Languages weren't made, they just happened.

 

[morqthana]

Ah - that will explain why you can't find Esperanto, Klingon, or High Valyrian on Duolingo.

 

[EFLImpudence]

As my classics teacher many years ago was fond of saying - Languages weren't made, they just happened.

Ok then - why did such an odd thing happen?

 

[fixitflav]

Ah - that will explain why you can't find Esperanto, Klingon, or High Valyrian on Duolingo.

Exceptions that prove the rule, another of his favourites.

 

[fixitflav]

Ok then - why did such an odd thing happen?

That's the point, nobody knows for sure, can only speculate. Languages evolved, like life forms.