Why does a word order make sence in one language but

[ICRS]

Take the sentence "I purchased this red car".

In some languages that exact order of words would make no sense. Instead they would say things like:

"I purchased car red this"
"Purchased I this car red"
"I car red this purchased"


These sentences make no sense in English, but in the languages that use this order it makes perfect sense. Why does a string of words spoken in a specific order make sense in one language, but when that same order is used in another language it becomes incomprehensible.

 

[Whitecloak]

"grammer"

 

[Sentrosi2121]

A brief history on the English Language

 

[frostedflakes]

Because they're used to the syntax. Not much to explain.

 

[LS21]

hang yourself idiot

 

[slayer202]

how about how spanish is so stupid with all the damn conjugations? in english, i ran, we ran, you ran, he ran etc, why in spanish do you need different forms of the verb?

 

[Venix]

Why don't you use question marks when asking questions.

I really don't know how to answer this question because it's just common sense. In English, position dictates the meaning of words in a sentence, so changing word positions will obviously change the meaning. You couldn't figure that out on your own?

 

[Foxery]

It's because, amazingly, other languages are different than English. It's funny how things developed in other parts of the world aren't the same!

:roll:

 

[SparkyJJO]

go from german to like spanish and its all screwed up too I'll bet.

 

[BassBomb]

Originally posted by: Whitecloak
"grammar"

Fixed.

 

[villageidiot111]

You should try Latin, for there is practically no set word order.

 

[legoman666]

Originally posted by: villageidiot111
You should try Latin, for there is practically no set word order.

which was my one saving grace when I took Latin in high school. If nothing else, at least I could get the word order right.

 

[UlricT]

You should try Sanskrit, there is NO word order required.

 

[sandorski]

Say the words out loud, then wonder why we use the sounds we do. Some of those sounds are downright bizarre.

 

[feralkid]

Originally posted by: slayer202
how about how spanish is so stupid with all the damn conjugations? in english, i ran, we ran, you ran, he ran etc, why in spanish do you need different forms of the verb?

You don't; just keep repeating it, louder and louder until you are understood.

 

[ElFenix]

english is subject verb object. english and chinese are the major languages that use that order. the other common order is subject object verb.

 

[Sumguy]

Same reason the Russians use that funky alphabet. Because when people are isolated into groups and come up with their own language, they don't go visit the friendly Saxons or Vikings to ask them how their grammatic structure works, just to keep things uniform

I anger French tourists because, aside from sucking at pronunciation, I forget that they call it a "car red" instead of a "red car". Oh, and lets not forget to have six variations or something for a single verb because they have to be adjusted to the noun. And assign genders to EVERYTHING, because its that important.

Bah.

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: BassBomb

Originally posted by: Whitecloak
"grammar"

Fixed.

You're the one who should be "fixed". Or . . . at least your sarcasm meter should be. Christ, why do you think the OP put his answer in quotes?????????

 

[Perknose]

Why does a word order make sence in one language but

In the English language, there isn't one damn thing that makes "sence", sparky.

 

[ICRS]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
english is subject verb object. english and chinese are the major languages that use that order. the other common order is subject object verb.

Spanish and French are SVO too, and I am sure they are also major languages.

Also the sentence : "Yesterday, I purchased dog cute very this" is SVO but still makes little sense in English.

 

[imported_Imp]

Take a linguistics/anthropology class if you want a comprehensive answer. IIRC, language is inate in humans in terms of patterns. However, the grammar and syntax vary. Something can be grammatical, comprehendable, proper or not. Yoda is a good example that was used.

 

[Born2bwire]

/me reads OP.

*SIGH*

/facepalm.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Originally posted by: Perknose

Why does a word order make sence in one language but

In the English language, there isn't one damn thing that makes "sence", sparky.

talkin' to me? I didn't type that

 

[WHAMPOM]

Originally posted by: Perknose

Originally posted by: BassBomb

Originally posted by: Whitecloak
"grammar"

Fixed.

You're the one who should be "fixed". Or . . . at least your sarcasm meter should be. Christ, why do you think the OP put his answer in quotes?????????

Did not note the "sence" either. What! No one read the topic? Oh, well.

 

[wwswimming]

it's a little bit like actionscript in Flash.

though nowhere near as picky about syntax.