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English translation question regarding lineage

A

ant80

Senior member
I had an arguement with my friend about this topic. Basically, how can I ask a person what order he/she was born to his parents?

For example, if a couple have eight children, the answer of the question must be one for the first child, two for the second child, and so forth...

I said that the question "what is your lineage" will convey that meaning that I intend to ask. Is that correct or is there something different or something I must add to get that meaning across? Thanks.
- ant
 
Huh? It depends on how many kids are in the family. "Are you the oldest?" "Are you second to the oldest?" "Are you the middle child?" etc.
 
Lineage would be like 'ancestry' and I suspect might elicit a response something like:

"I am Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror, King under the mountain"
 
"What is your lineage?", to me, comes off as classist as, "So are you related to the Kennedys or the Rockafellers?"

The best way to learn the answer to your question might be something along the lines of "how many older siblings do you have?"
 
Originally posted by: Pandamonium
"What is your lineage?", to me, comes off as classist as, "So are you related to the Kennedys or the Rockafellers?"

The best way to learn the answer to your question might be something along the lines of "how many older siblings do you have?"
Click to expand...
Ditto. Another way to ask is: "How many brothers and sisters do you have? Which one are you?"
 
All the above examples reach the question in an indirect way. I am looking for a direct way to reach the question. I dont care if normal people understand the question or not... if that makes any sense.

Considering the audience is a person who is highly knowledgable in the usage of english, what should I ask to convey the same meaning?

What is your lineage from your father?
what is your lineage through your father?
what is your lineage of your father?

Or any variations as such... Any inputs?
 
Originally posted by: 3chordcharlie
Lineage would be like 'ancestry' and I suspect might elicit a response something like:

"I am Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror, King under the mountain"
Click to expand...

i am LOTHAR of the hill people
 
We don't use the term "lineage" to refer to our birth order. You might say "Where do you fall in birth order in your family?"
 
Originally posted by: Bryophyte
We don't use the term "lineage" to refer to our birth order. You might say "Where do you fall in birth order in your family?"
Click to expand...

Darn it. I lost the bet. :|
 
Originally posted by: ant80
I had an arguement with my friend about this topic. Basically, how can I ask a person what order he/she was born to his parents?- ant
Click to expand...
Think your friend is right. You ask: "Regarding your birth order amongst your siblings what number child are you?" Lineage refers to your ancestors, not your birth order.
 
Originally posted by: 3chordcharlie
Lineage would be like 'ancestry' and I suspect might elicit a response something like:

"I am Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror, King under the mountain"
Click to expand...
No no I AM!

😀

Just ask "How many of your brothers and/or sisters were born before you?"

Thorin
 
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