|
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295
Carpal Tunnel
|
OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295 |
Like what I read here about the Hindu family indications, the africans have the same almost incomprehensible mix up of cousins beeing called brothers and brother's son's beeing called also son by the uncles and aunts, but I've really given up on figuring that out. I gave up hope on that completely and think it's allright as long as they themselves can follow it. But for us, could you not do a little improving? Making a female cousin : cousina ( and for Dutch it'll be harder work to put it right) . But this is about English so first things first. It sounds good enough cousina,no? Or would it be too easily confused with casino? 
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290 |
Making a female cousin : cousina ...
We have a term for female cousin. It is female cousin.
Ceci n'est pas un seing.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295 |
Tja Zmjd,  I already suspected my request was too demanding. The term for male cousin is cousin? Or male cousin? (only one tiny a?)No? Then I'll go on using he-cousin and she-cousin. With or without hyphen?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,230
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,230 |
Quote:
Tja Zmjd, I already suspected my request was too demanding.
The term for male cousin is cousin? Or male cousin?
(only one tiny a?)No? Then I'll go on using he-cousin and she-cousin.
With or without hyphen?
Why do you need a single word in English? Both your coinages sound VERY alien to this native English speaker's ears, and would likely be as jarring to others, also. If the aim is natural-sounding English, "he/she cousin", whether with or without a hyphen, would be a noticeable step in the opposite direction.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,230
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,230 |
Quote:
Then I'll go on using he-cousin and she-cousin.
With or without hyphen?
I should also add that some English speakers would find being called "he-cousin" or "she-cousin" mildly offensive, or irritating. Certainly here in NZ, the gender prefix conjures up associations with livestock.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
If there were some important difference between male cousins and female cousins or between children of father's siblings and children of mother's siblings or between cross-cousins and parallel-cousins then we would have separate terms for them. Cultures in which there are important differences have separate terms. If a language uses the same word for one's own children and those of one's siblings' children it's probably because there is no important difference in that culture.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295 |
Quote:
Quote:
Then I'll go on using he-cousin and she-cousin.
With or without hyphen?
I should also add that some English speakers would find being called "he-cousin" or "she-cousin" mildly offensive, or irritating. Certainly here in NZ, the gender prefix conjures up associations with livestock.
You're right Sjmaxq (sorry) and thank you for using the word 'mildly'. It could be offensive , but I would never use this in official language. I just thought English is such an efficient language that I wondered why this could not be a one word clearness.
Faldage , I agree that must be it, The culture is accordingly:
When one mother dies, her sister takes all of her ten children into her family group (I know from African friends it works that way).
"If there were some important difference between male cousins and female cousins or between children of father's siblings and children of mother's siblings or between cross-cousins and parallel-cousins then we would have separate terms for them. Cultures in which there are important differences have separate terms. If a language uses the same word for one's own children and those of one's siblings' children it's probably because there is no important difference in that culture."
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 557
addict
|
|
addict
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 557 |
I would find much more use for a non-gendered word for nieces and nephews as in... I'm buying gifts for my nieces and nephews. knee-shoes... nef-lets...???
Cousin/cousine is inflection rather than separate words. I see a slippery slope. Feminist cousines will feel slighted - I'm not a full cousin only a cousinette. Do we care about American/Americane? We already have a hard time with blond/blonde.
Will we soon be worrying if we can put le papier into la corbeille without properly introducing them first? (^_^)
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295 |
"I see a slippery slope." Then don't step on it. The balance of your comment already is swaying a little. Feminist cousines would not be offended when called cousine.Yes, cousinette would be a little over the top. They would really be offended however if you would call them guy, boy or fellow.But I won't take this case to the judge, don't you worry. (as long as you introduce your waste papers politely)
|
|
|
|
Forums16
Topics13,913
Posts229,340
Members9,182
| |
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
|
|
|
0 members (),
646
guests, and
0
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
|
