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34 [thirty-four]

On the train

34 [vier en dertig]	In die trein

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The development of language

Why we speak with each other is clear. We want to exchange ideas and understand each other. How exactly language originated, on the other hand, is less clear. Various theories exist about this. What's certain is that language is a very old phenomenon. Certain physical traits were a prerequisite for speaking. They were necessary in order for us to form sounds. People as far back as the Neanderthals had the ability to apply their voice. In this way, they could distinguish themselves from animals. Additionally, a loud, firm voice was important for defense. A person could threaten or frighten enemies with it. Back then, tools had already been made and fire had been discovered. This knowledge had to be passed along somehow. Speech was also important for hunting in groups. As early as 2 million years ago there was a simple understanding among people. The first linguistic elements were signs and gestures. But people wanted to be able to communicate in the dark too. More importantly, they also had the need to talk to each other without looking. Therefore, the voice developed, and it replaced the gestures. Language in today's sense is at least 50,000 years old. When Homo sapiens left Africa, they distributed language around the world. The languages separated from each other in the different regions. That is to say, various language families came into being. However, they only contained the fundamentals of language systems. The first languages were much less complex than languages today. They were further developed through grammar, phonology and semantics. It could be said that different languages have different solutions. But the problem was always the same: How do I show what I'm thinking?

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Is that the train to Berlin?	I_ d_t d_e t_e_n n_ B_r_y_? Is dit die trein na Berlyn? I_ d__ d__ t____ n_ B______ Is dit die trein na Berlyn? __ ___ ___ _____ __ _______ Is dit die trein na Berlyn?
When does the train leave?	W_n_e_r v_r_r_k d_e t_e_n_ Wanneer vertrek die trein? W______ v______ d__ t_____ Wanneer vertrek die trein? _______ _______ ___ ______ Wanneer vertrek die trein?
When does the train arrive in Berlin?	W_n_e_r k_m d_e t_e_n i_ B_r_y_ a_n_ Wanneer kom die trein in Berlyn aan? W______ k__ d__ t____ i_ B_____ a___ Wanneer kom die trein in Berlyn aan? _______ ___ ___ _____ __ ______ ____ Wanneer kom die trein in Berlyn aan?

Excuse me, may I pass?	V_r_k_o_ m_, m_g e_ v_r_y k_m_ Verskoon my, mag ek verby kom? V_______ m__ m__ e_ v____ k___ Verskoon my, mag ek verby kom? ________ ___ ___ __ _____ ____ Verskoon my, mag ek verby kom?
I think this is my seat.	E_ d_n_ d_t i_ m_ s_t_l_k_ Ek dink dit is my sitplek. E_ d___ d__ i_ m_ s_______ Ek dink dit is my sitplek. __ ____ ___ __ __ ________ Ek dink dit is my sitplek.
I think you’re sitting in my seat.	E_ d_n_ d_t u i_ m_ s_t_l_k s_t_ Ek dink dat u in my sitplek sit. E_ d___ d__ u i_ m_ s______ s___ Ek dink dat u in my sitplek sit. __ ____ ___ _ __ __ _______ ____ Ek dink dat u in my sitplek sit.

Where is the sleeper?	W_a_ i_ d_e s_a_p_a_ Waar is die slaapwa? W___ i_ d__ s_______ Waar is die slaapwa? ____ __ ___ ________ Waar is die slaapwa?
The sleeper is at the end of the train.	D_e s_a_p_a i_ a_n d_e e_n_e v_n d_e t_e_n_ Die slaapwa is aan die einde van die trein. D__ s______ i_ a__ d__ e____ v__ d__ t_____ Die slaapwa is aan die einde van die trein. ___ _______ __ ___ ___ _____ ___ ___ ______ Die slaapwa is aan die einde van die trein.
And where is the dining car? – At the front.	E_ w_a_ i_ d_e e_t_a_ – A_n d_e v_o_k_n_ v_n d_e t_e_n_ En waar is die eetwa? – Aan die voorkant van die trein. E_ w___ i_ d__ e_____ – A__ d__ v_______ v__ d__ t_____ En waar is die eetwa? – Aan die voorkant van die trein. __ ____ __ ___ ______ _ ___ ___ ________ ___ ___ ______ En waar is die eetwa? – Aan die voorkant van die trein.

Can I sleep below?	M_g e_ o_d_r s_a_p_ Mag ek onder slaap? M__ e_ o____ s_____ Mag ek onder slaap? ___ __ _____ ______ Mag ek onder slaap?
Can I sleep in the middle?	M_g e_ i_ d_e m_d_e_ s_a_p_ Mag ek in die middel slaap? M__ e_ i_ d__ m_____ s_____ Mag ek in die middel slaap? ___ __ __ ___ ______ ______ Mag ek in die middel slaap?
Can I sleep at the top?	M_g e_ b_ s_a_p_ Mag ek bo slaap? M__ e_ b_ s_____ Mag ek bo slaap? ___ __ __ ______ Mag ek bo slaap?

When will we get to the border?	W_n_e_r k_m o_s b_ d_e g_e_s a_n_ Wanneer kom ons by die grens aan? W______ k__ o__ b_ d__ g____ a___ Wanneer kom ons by die grens aan? _______ ___ ___ __ ___ _____ ____ Wanneer kom ons by die grens aan?
How long does the journey to Berlin take?	H_e l_n_ d_u_ d_e r_t n_ B_r_y_? Hoe lank duur die rit na Berlyn? H__ l___ d___ d__ r__ n_ B______ Hoe lank duur die rit na Berlyn? ___ ____ ____ ___ ___ __ _______ Hoe lank duur die rit na Berlyn?
Is the train delayed?	I_ d_e t_e_n v_r_r_a_? Is die trein vertraag? I_ d__ t____ v________ Is die trein vertraag? __ ___ _____ _________ Is die trein vertraag?

Do you have something to read?	H_t u i_t_ o_ t_ l_e_? Het u iets om te lees? H__ u i___ o_ t_ l____ Het u iets om te lees? ___ _ ____ __ __ _____ Het u iets om te lees?
Can one get something to eat and to drink here?	K_n m_n_ h_e_ i_t_ t_ e_e e_ t_ d_i_k_ k_y_ Kan mens hier iets te ete en te drinke kry? K__ m___ h___ i___ t_ e__ e_ t_ d_____ k___ Kan mens hier iets te ete en te drinke kry? ___ ____ ____ ____ __ ___ __ __ ______ ____ Kan mens hier iets te ete en te drinke kry?
Could you please wake me up at 7 o’clock?	K_n u m_ a_s_b_i_f s_w_u_r w_k_e_ m_a_? Kan u my asseblief seweuur wakker maak? K__ u m_ a________ s______ w_____ m____ Kan u my asseblief seweuur wakker maak? ___ _ __ _________ _______ ______ _____ Kan u my asseblief seweuur wakker maak?

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The development of language

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