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McAnally's (The Community Pub) => Author Craft => Topic started by: o_O on November 02, 2012, 04:54:50 PM

Title: Language question - scandinavian usage
Post by: o_O on November 02, 2012, 04:54:50 PM

Can someone explain the usage of the word 'gate' in Swedish/Norwegian/Danish and how it comes to be part of so many street names?


I am particularly interested in whether the word carries any connotation of 'Portal over distance', like the word 'Way'  carries in The Wheel of Time novels.


Thanks in advance.

Title: Re: Language question - scandinavian usage
Post by: Quantus on November 06, 2012, 09:43:27 PM

Well, I am not not a native of any of those areas, but some google-fu says that Gate comes from the old norse "Gata", which means Street or Road, and was originally used more for the gap in a wall or fence rather than barrier.  So I think the answer to your question is "Yes, it carries similar connotations to a Portal or Way in the WOT usage"  though I cannot say if it has ever had the same supernatural connotations that those do an a RL usage.

Title: Re: Language question - scandinavian usage
Post by: Haru on November 06, 2012, 09:53:37 PM

I don't know a single word of any Scandinavian language, but I recently came across this comic, I think it was even someone on this very forum that posted it. There is a forum there, too, and I'm sure there are enough Scandinavians that can help you.

The link:
http://satwcomic.com/