I don't get that translation - it simply means you are about to enter the most dirty area of this planet - the ass (arsch = ass) by which they mean the SU if I remember correctly.MadderCat wrote: "hier beginnt der Arsch der Welt" = You're now in the back of beyond
► German road signs
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Ok, I should probably leave this one alone, but it was an interesting sign.
As a native American English speaker, I translated it directly as "Here begins the asshole of the world".
As the Germans might interpret it, it might mean something literally rather different. Perhaps, "Here begins your nightmare" or as Maddercat said, "back of beyond".
I did not catch the dating of the sign, but given the history of the Germans, Hungarians, Italians, Romanians etc. who entered Russia in 1941, it was a prescient message that you are entering Hell and you will not return as you entered.
A very literal "translation" on my part, perhaps more a warning to those on the way to the East.
No political statement intended.
Bill
As a native American English speaker, I translated it directly as "Here begins the asshole of the world".
As the Germans might interpret it, it might mean something literally rather different. Perhaps, "Here begins your nightmare" or as Maddercat said, "back of beyond".
I did not catch the dating of the sign, but given the history of the Germans, Hungarians, Italians, Romanians etc. who entered Russia in 1941, it was a prescient message that you are entering Hell and you will not return as you entered.
A very literal "translation" on my part, perhaps more a warning to those on the way to the East.
No political statement intended.
Bill
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@Phil Bishop
okay, you're the native english speking person while i'm the native german speaker
MadderCat
Hmmmm
Didn't mean to appear to be laughing at you MadderCat, if you thought I was my apologies. I just found the subject matter amusing, not your translation. And your English is far better than my German I'm sure.
Phil
okay, you're the native english speking person while i'm the native german speaker
MadderCat
Hmmmm
Didn't mean to appear to be laughing at you MadderCat, if you thought I was my apologies. I just found the subject matter amusing, not your translation. And your English is far better than my German I'm sure.
Phil
- ChrisMAg2
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Bill,Bill Murray wrote:...
As a native American English speaker, I translated it directly as "Here begins the asshole of the world".
...
even an american shouldn't add a "hole" where there is none. (Just to be picky or more precise). "Asshole" has a german counterpart: "Arschloch". So Arsch is just plain "ass" ...or butt as you would say, just as Sbf.Koch said. With that the meaning is more evident as being "the most distant or remote area".
@ Sbf.Koch,
This expression ("Hier beginnt der Arsch der Welt") is already so old, it was already part of the slang language even for that time. It is just an expression and ist not specific to a certain country or location. It is still in use today.I don't get that translation - it simply means you are about to enter the most dirty area of this planet - the ass (arsch = ass) by which they mean the SU if I remember correctly.
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Thank you Chris for your comments. And.....I really was not trying to be a "SmartAss" in my literal interpretation of those words .
My other two languages are Swedish and Spanish and I had to learn the hard way in both that there are many phrases that can have more than the meaning of just the words themselves. Exactly as you pointed out concerning the expression we are discussing here and I thank you for teaching me that one.
Cheers
Bill
My other two languages are Swedish and Spanish and I had to learn the hard way in both that there are many phrases that can have more than the meaning of just the words themselves. Exactly as you pointed out concerning the expression we are discussing here and I thank you for teaching me that one.
Cheers
Bill
well, not WWII vintage, but somewhat related, from an article on today's cnn.com:
http://www.signspotting.com/
Xavier
Instandsetzungtruppfuhrer
http://www.signspotting.com/
Xavier
Instandsetzungtruppfuhrer
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