Page 41 - Language Facts

Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakpikimaunahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu is the world's longest placename.




This name has been given to a hill by the Maori people of New Zealand to honor a famous chief by the name of Tamatea Pokai Whenua. Translated, the name means "The hilltop where Tamatea with big knees, conqueror of mountains, eater of land, traveler over land and sea, played his koauau to his beloved."
()

The month of August will not have another Friday the 13th until the year 2021.




October last had a Friday the 13th back in 2006, and it won't have another until 2017!
(source)

A lexical gap (or lacuna) is when there is no word in another language to describe a concept.




Translations are often difficult because there are frequently lexical gaps between two languages. For example, in Romanian there is no word for "shallow." Therefore "shallow waters" would have to be described as "small water" or "not so deep water."

Another example you may be more familiar with is the lack of an English plural for "you" without resorting to colloquialisms like y'all, youse, you guys, etc. Also, apparently, in parts of Pennsylvania they say "yinz".
(source)
Video

users online
Buy Gift Cards at Raise