[geeks] English language [was: power (was Mr. Bill)]

[Sridhar Ayengar]

Francois Dion wrote:
> On Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 12:34 PM, Sridhar Ayengar <ploopster at gmail.com> wrote:
>> I think it *should* be this way.  English has always been one of the
>> languages that most easily adapts to changes in culture and technology.  I
>> think that it, perhaps, played a part in the computer revolution this way.
> 
> I'm not sure about that. Pascaline has been in the french language for
> over 350 years and the term for machine automation and punch cards
> have been in the french language for almost 300 years. Both
> "ordonnateur" et "ordinateur" have been in the french language for
> almost 150 years, although "ordonnateur" is no longer in use, but
> "ordinateur" is the term that stuck (the equivalent to "computer"),
> thanks to IBM France marketing.

Well, I don't speak (or know much about) French, but as for Italian and 
German, I can vouch that they've pulled coined words from English for 
the kind of reasons I'm talking about.

Peace...  Sridhar