Death in Different Languages
Before humanity learned to do things in a better way and started hunting to gather their food, they still had to deal with the biggest truth of the universe, and that is death. It is the only thing that will always come after people, even if they don’t want it to. It came into this world following the living things and has been around since then. It is the only thing we can always be sure of in this uncertain world. No one gives it too much thought during their daily life even though it is always around us. Whether it was the 12th century or the 20th Century, death has always been the highlight of our lives in one way or the other.
Studies are conducted regularly to figure out how many people pass away each day. One estimate puts the number at 150,000. The death toll may not look like a huge figure when compared to the daily birth rate and the total population of the world. But that doesn’t mean death is unimportant or uncertain. It is the only thing people can count on even when everything else around them is unpredictable. Our world is pretty unique and lively. Each day it gets filled with colorful activities carried out by its population. There are a lot of problems in people’s lives, but death is the one they try to forget from time to time.
Emotions and Languages:
Languages have given us the power to express our emotions. Without them, it would have been difficult for us to talk about our grief and process it properly. For the healthy psychological growth of a person, it is necessary for them to talk about the problems they are facing in life. But knowing a single language can be limiting at times to say everything that is on our minds. This is why there are articles and apps to help us figure out how to say a word in multiple languages. They can help us in our everyday life.
Death in Different Languages:
Death means the end of life, but depending on the tongue you are using to talk about it, its meaning can be deeper. Most languages even have euphemisms for death, different names for the Angel of death. So, knowing how to say ‘hello’ or ‘I love you’ in different vernaculars is not enough. Sometimes, a person may need to talk about death with people who don’t share their vernacular. At that moment, knowing the words for death in different tongues can be helpful.
How does language affect emotion?
Although emotions are physical sensations that don’t have anything to do with the words we speak, language does affect them. Language is what we use to give meaning to the physical sensations we feel. Without language, we would not be able to define and name our emotions. We also won’t be able to share them with the world.
How is a language used to manipulate us emotionally?
Through the use of metaphors that we have come to associate with certain emotions, language can be used to manipulate us. By hearing hurtful words, we will feel sadness or anger. Language has been used by politicians and propagandists to manipulate the emotions of the masses for a long time.
What are the 10 basic emotions?
The definition of each emotion we feel changes with age. A toy that brings you joy as a kid would stop being the same to you when you are an adult. Here are the ten basic emotions that humans feel on a daily basis:
1. Happiness/Joy.
2. Sadness.
3. Anger.
4. Anticipation.
5. Fear.
6. Excitement.
7. Jealousy.
8. Disgust.
9. Surprise.
10. Contempt.What are the 7 universal emotions?
The seven universal emotions are:- Anger.
- Fear.
- Disgust.
- Happiness.
- Sadness.
- Surprise.
- Contempt.
The facial expressions attached to these emotions are also universal in nature, which is why we can notice when someone is happy or afraid even if we don’t know their language.
How do you say death in different languages?
- In Spanish, ‘Muerte’ is the word that is used for death.
- In French, both ‘mort’ and ‘le décès’ are used for death.
- The Greek word for death is ‘thánatos’ which has been used in various fields of study.
- ‘Tod’ is the basic word in German for death, but there are plenty of other options too including ‘der Todesfall’.
What is a fancy word for death?
A few fancy words for death are demise, eternal rest, and passing away. In books and formal documents, the use of demise is given preference over death. One can use a number of ways to describe the passing of someone. But it is better to keep it formal and avoid slang words.
What is the bringer of death in Latin?
In Latin, the bringer of death is called ‘ignis spiritus morte.’ Latin is a fascinating language that has been around for centuries. Its vocabulary is rich and there is a word for almost every situation. Although it has no native speakers today, it is studied by students and history lovers all over the world.
How do you say Grim Reaper in different languages?
- In Latin, the language of the Romans, Grim Reaper is known as ‘torva messor.’
- In Spanish, a simple word ‘parca’ is used for the mythical figure who reaps people’s lives.
- The name of the Grim Reaper is ‘smert’ s kosoy’ in Russian.
- French also uses a simple word ‘faucheuse’ to describe the Grim Reaper.
Words for death in other languages
- Al-Moat:
In Arabic, this is how you talk about the limitations of our lives. It describes the passing away of a person. You will notice that most tongues have a word for dying that starts with the sound of M. This proves that most of our vernaculars are related to each other or borrowed words from a common ancestor. Arabic has speakers in millions and is spoken in multiple countries. Knowing a few words of Arabic can help you get through your trip to an Arab country.
- Thanatos:
Studying linguistics can tell you how many ancient languages influenced modern vernaculars. A lot of the world’s most spoken modern vernaculars either originated directly from Latin or were affected by it in some way. Greek is another tongue that had a substantial linguistic impact. Thanatos is another word for death that was not only used in Greek mythology but also made an appearance in the Freudian theory. In the latter, it is described as the instinct of people to engage in dangerous activities. Whenever we do something adventurous or violent, Thanatos is the driving force behind it.
- Muerte:
There are multiple words for death in Spanish, but muerte is the most common one. Spanish is officially recognized in over twenty different states. Interestingly, the highest number of its speakers are not in Spain, and that tells you all about colonization and its power.
- Morte:
Interestingly, death in other languages can have the same word. For instance, morte is what you can call it in both Italian and Portuguese. The latter is another tongue that reached different countries, thanks to colonization. Both Italian and Portuguese are highly important vernaculars in Europe. Although they are nowhere near close to Spanish and German’s fame, they are given plenty of importance by linguists.
- Mortem:
The Latin word for death proves how closely the modern vernaculars spoken in Europe are connected with it. The terms for death in Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish are quite similar to mortem. A lot of Latin quotes also include this word. An advanced search has shown that Latin words can be spotted in various fields of study. For instance, post mortem is used in medicine to refer to autopsy. The names of multiple species of plants and animals are also in Latin.
Many vernaculars are closely related and, therefore, have the same word for death. For instance, it is called ‘moat’ in both Hindi and Urdu, which is the same as the Arabic word ‘al-moat’. It becomes ‘marg’ in Persian. The initial sound remains the same in most vernaculars.
Understanding the complexities of life and being able to cope with them is not easy, but it is necessary. We would lose our sanity if we didn’t force ourselves to deal with our emotions. Thankfully, we have various tools at our disposal to help us communicate with each other. It would have been quite challenging for humans to come to terms with their feeling without the help of vernaculars. But today, they have terms from seven thousand different languages that they can use to express their feelings. It is the beauty of linguistic development that has enabled us to convey our feelings effectively.
There are a few other words that can be used for death including deceased, demise, expire, or expired.
According to the largest dictionary, the Latin word Mortifier means bringer of death.
A slang word or expression for die is passed. Another one is peg out. A rather insensitive or gaming expression used for someone killed is ‘got smoked’.
- Al-Moat (Arabic)
- Muerte ( Spanish)
- Morte ( Italian and Portuguese)
- Mortem ( Latin)
- Moat (Urdu-Hindi)
- Al-Moat (Arabic)Memento Mori (Latin) Meaning: Remember you have to die. This is not actually a word for death but a beautiful reminder nonetheless.
