egbert Posted 14 August , 2013 Posted 14 August , 2013 Here is a link to the Flemish Great War forum with a scanned book from 1916 on brilliant German humor. You need to be able to understand German language though , but I promise it is superb! Mick, Jack, Ralph and the like...... Scroll down to "Mein Hauptquartier", post# Posted: 14 Aug 2013 18:13
Dragon Posted 14 August , 2013 Posted 14 August , 2013 Interesting. I often come across postcards of pictures like these. I bet many vendors have no idea what they mean when they write their descriptions. I can't read German and I don't buy cards I don't understand, but people must make some cringeworthy mistakes. Gwyn
martin_sole Posted 14 August , 2013 Posted 14 August , 2013 Not easy either when it's written in Fraktur Schon lange bin ich mit frohem Mute Ich im französischen Revier Auf einem alten Klostergute Hab' ich z.Zt. mein Hauptquartier Vor kurzem noch sah ich mitunter Ein festes Dach nur nachts im Traum Jetzt habe wir's und schlafen darunter zu 30 Mann in einem Raum Das Herrenhaus giebt seine Diele zu diesem gute Zwed'e her im kriegerisch-modernen Stile Wirkt sehr intim das "Interieur" For some time now, and in very good cheer, I've been in French territory In an old monastary, which is at present our HQ Until recently I only saw a secure roof at night in my dreams. But now we have one and sleep under it, 30 men in one room. The mansion gives its accommodation to this good platoon (?) In military-modern style the interior is very intimate have to say, it loses a bit in translation
egbert Posted 15 August , 2013 Author Posted 15 August , 2013 have to say, it loses a bit in translation You cannot just translate it 1:1 like an essay, only the exact rhymes and special idioms make it hilarious.
martin_sole Posted 15 August , 2013 Posted 15 August , 2013 Yes, you lose the rhyme that's part of the humour. it's why I gave up after three stanzas. what's "Zwed'e" btw?
Jack Sheldon Posted 15 August , 2013 Posted 15 August , 2013 What fun. I must say that the 'poet' could get a job any time writing rhyming couplets for British pantomimes. The rhyme scheme is identical.Jack
egbert Posted 15 August , 2013 Author Posted 15 August , 2013 Yes, you lose the rhyme that's part of the humour. it's why I gave up after three stanzas. what's "Zwed'e" btw? It is "Zwecke" from "der Zweck" Martin
martin_sole Posted 15 August , 2013 Posted 15 August , 2013 D'Oh! Blimmin' Fraktur my aunt still writes in a form of Suetterlin, which just looks like someone testing a new biro - lines of sawtooth squiggles. I have cards from her and no idea what she's written.
IanA Posted 15 August , 2013 Posted 15 August , 2013 on brilliant German humor Nope. you've lost me. Even if I substitute 'humour' it still doesn't make sense.
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