Have you heard about the Google translate tool? It works pretty well. Miraculously well, compared with looking up words in the dictionary by hand as I go. However, I still run into trouble, due to the placement of the subject and object in German sentences. Here’s an example, from a book about Freinsheim history by Otto Klamm.
Die Jahre 1832 und 1848/49 brachten auch in Freinsheim Unruhen. Die Freischaerler 1849 verhafteten den katholischen Geistlichen und fuehrten ihn gefesselt nach Duerkheim. Beim Anruecken preussischer Truppen unter der Fuehrung des “Kartaetschenprinzen” Wilhelm, des spaeteren Kaisers Willhelm I. der hier im Kaiserhaus” – heute Firma Neu – Quartier bezog, verschwanden die Freischaerler aus dem Ort. Einige Fluechteten sogar bis nach Amerika.
In this passage, the sticking point is the second sentence: “Die Freischaerler 1849 verhafteten den katholischen Geistlichen und fuehrten ihn gefesselt nach Duerkheim.” which at first blush seems to say: “The Freedom Fighters 1849 arrested the Catholic clergy, and led him bound to Duerkheim.”
Okay, to be honest, I have more than one question. My first question is, did the freedom fighters arrest the Catholic clergy, or did the Catholic clergy arrest the freedom fighters? My second question is, Catholic clergy? What am I missing here?
4 responses to “I have a question”