CROATIAN VOCABULARY
Without vocabulary, there is no language.
At least, that is so as far as human language is concerned. I don’t know if we can say that the forms of communication among birds, or among whales, or among dogs have their vocabularies. Please enlighten me.
I guess I have over-simplified the situation because I immediately recognise that what I have said is problematic in relation to sign languages, computer programming languages, and probably a bunch of other forms of language.
So let me clarify that my opening statement refers to the various forms of language by which people talk with each other – to understand some intended meaning.
At least, that is so as far as human language is concerned. I don’t know if we can say that the forms of communication among birds, or among whales, or among dogs have their vocabularies. Please enlighten me.
I guess I have over-simplified the situation because I immediately recognise that what I have said is problematic in relation to sign languages, computer programming languages, and probably a bunch of other forms of language.
So let me clarify that my opening statement refers to the various forms of language by which people talk with each other – to understand some intended meaning.
Emilija: Razumjela sam većinu onoga što si rekao, Ivane, ali što znači ta rijeć "me-meeee"?
Emily: I understood most of what you said, Ivan, but what does that word "ba-baaaa" mean?
Što misliš ....... Što sugerira Ivan Emiliji?
Emily: I understood most of what you said, Ivan, but what does that word "ba-baaaa" mean?
Što misliš ....... Što sugerira Ivan Emiliji?
Image by Susanne Jutzeler, suju-foto from Pixabay
But we should also recognise that while vocabulary is an essential part of a language, communication needs more. I refer partly to the grammar, which provides the context for sense-making, and avoidance of ambiguity.
We native English speakers mostly find that the grammar of the Croatian language is overwhelming, and is why I have dedicated a section to this component of the language (See Croatian Grammar).
And there is another component that Croatians think characterises their language: they call it duh jezika, the spirit of the language.
I am often told that something I have said is logically and grammatically correct, but is not in the spirit of the Croatian language. When I come to realise what this means, I will open a section on it. Meanwhile, it remains an abstract construct to me.
In this section (Croatian vocabulary) I am writing posts about some aspects (general or specific) that have seemed to me useful, or curious, or challenging – and may strike a chord with others who are learning Croatian.
Here is a road map of the posts in this section. CLICK on a title to go directly to the relevant post.
Here is a road map of the posts in this section. CLICK on a title to go directly to the relevant post.
CROATIAN VOCABULARY (HOME) Where you are now
Posts 1 - 10 HOME
001 Even dying is not easy!
002 To laugh or to smile?
003 Nahraniti, sahraniti, ....... schmahraniti!
004 Prefixes that modify verb meanings
005 Prefixes on the base verbs stati and stajati
Themes HOME (New posts continually added)
001 Vocabulary in the time of the coronavirus
Što je korijen riječi? The roots of words HOME (New posts continually added)
001 Zora, prozor, zoran ........
002 Nadimak
Posts 1 - 10 HOME
001 Even dying is not easy!
002 To laugh or to smile?
003 Nahraniti, sahraniti, ....... schmahraniti!
004 Prefixes that modify verb meanings
005 Prefixes on the base verbs stati and stajati
Themes HOME (New posts continually added)
001 Vocabulary in the time of the coronavirus
Što je korijen riječi? The roots of words HOME (New posts continually added)
001 Zora, prozor, zoran ........
002 Nadimak
Click here to return to Aha! Croatian: A ROAD MAP