Thursday, June 19, 2008

Oy to the world

Inflection is an important aspect to Yiddish.

I should buy two tickets for her concert?
--meaning:, "After what she did to me?"
I should buy two tickets for her concert?
--meaning: "What, you're giving me a lesson in ethics?"
I should buy two tickets for her concert?
--meaning: I wouldn't go even if she were giving out free passes!
I should buy two tickets for her concert?
--meaning: I'm having enough trouble deciding whether it's worth one.
I should buy two tickets for her concert?
--She should be giving out free passes, or the hall will be empty.
I should buy two tickets for her concert?
--Did she buy tickets to our daughter's recital?
I should buy two tickets for her concert?
--You mean, they call what she does a "concert"?


(source: Leo Rosten's book "The Joys of Yiddish")

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