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Date:         Fri, 18 Oct 2002 22:29:04 -0700
Reply-To:     Björn Ratjen <bjorn@IGLIDE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Björn Ratjen <bjorn@IGLIDE.NET>
Subject:      Re: Volk
In-Reply-To:  <200210182212540.SM02824@gerry.vanagon.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1; format=flowed

Alright, I bite on this one.

The English word "people" is still the closest to the German word "Volk" even though they are not exactly the same. The is another word in German "Leute" which can also be translated with "people". "Volk" can mean a nation in its entirety "mein Volk", but it also means "common people" different from aristocracy or leaders. This has been used by the Nazis as propaganda in terms like "das deutsche Volk" (the German people) to signify the will of "the people" or the (assumed) majority against another group. You could not use "Volk" in English sentences like "they are my kind of people"; you would then rather use the German word "Leute". The English word "folk" or "folks" is also not an equivalent to the German "Volk". the use of German nouns are quite specific. Instead of "my folks" you would probably say "meine Verwandte" (my relatives) or in a very casual way one could say "meine Leute". The word "Volkswagen" reflects the idea that this is a car for everyone, for common people. It means affordable and somewhat lower class. I remember a discussion a little more than 20 years ago where the head of VW (I think it was Hahn) said that Volkswagen would never build a car with an engine larger than 2L and not be in competition with Mercedes Benz or BMW.

Well that was then.

Björn

PS The second part "Wagen" means "car" but it can also be used in other combinations where the English word carriage might be more appropriate, i.e. "Pferdewagen" (horse carriage). But generally when you would say "mein Wagen" you would assume it means "my car". To be more specific you would have to use the word "Auto" (car).

PPS If you would use the term "Volksauto" - which is not really used - then it would even underline more strongly that this is a vehicle for common people. In German you can also use the word "Vehikel" which is a slightly derogatory term for a car.

PPPS You asked....

At 12:00 AM 10/19/02 -0400, you wrote:

>David Beierl wrote: > > > I'm wondering if anyone here has a good understanding or reference for the > > term "Volk" as in Volkswagen...I'm reading something (_Himmler_ by Peter > > Padfield, MJF Books 1990) that reminds me that "People" seems to be an > > entirely inadequate translation. > > > > thanks, > > david > > > > -- > > David Beierl - Providence, RI > > http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/ > > '84 Westy "Dutiful Passage" > > '85 GL "Poor Relation"

Björn Ratjen Mill Bay, B.C.

1987 Vanagon Syncro est alia (self camperized, TDI ) 1978 VW Bulli (self camperized) 1995 Passat TD Wagon (hers) 1970 VW Beetle (now mine, err son's again) 1991 Jetta TD (now son's, err mine again) 1986 Jetta TD (daughter's) 1986 Jetta TD (mine) 1982 Westy Vanagon Diesel (son's)


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