the word "Christian" as an adjective in other languages

[Red Gold]

the word "Christian" as an adjective in other languages

in German it is like this:


noun, male: 1 Christ, 2 Christen
noun, female: 1 Christin, 2 Christinnen

adjective: christlich - with a small c

 

[Occams Barber]

the word "Christian" as an adjective in other languages

in German it is like this:


noun, male: 1 Christ, 2 Christen
noun, female: 1 Christin, 2 Christinnen

adjective: christlich - with a small c

There is no clear rule on whether '(C)(c)hristian should be capitalised when used as an adjective in English.

There is a similar confusion with other religious adjectives although the tendency is to capitalise.

The rule I apply is to capitalise when in doubt as a token of respect for the views of others. There is a similar issue when discussing God (Christian) versus god (generic).

OB

 

[Red Gold]

There is no clear rule on whether '(C)(c)hristian should be capitalised when used as an adjective in English.

There is a similar confusion with other religious adjectives although the tendency is to capitalise.

The rule I apply is to capitalise when in doubt as a token of respect for the views of others. There is a similar issue when discussing God (Christian) versus god (generic).

OB

OK - and what about other languages now?

What is Christian or christian as an adjectiv in other languages?
Maybe I will ask Google for it.

 

[Red Gold]

In French:

chrétien or chrétienne

 

[Red Gold]

in Danish: kristelig

 

[Occams Barber]

Be cautious of over simplifying. Capital Letters can be used for a range of practical, social and cultural reasons. (are German nouns still capitalised?). There is no reason to assume that the French or Swedish or English see capitalisation in the same way.

In 19th century English publications capitalisation was often used for emphasis on signage etc. I will occasionally used capitals as an ironic device introducing an inappropriate formality as a form of subtle humour. Look at modern headlines as an indication of the Range of Uses for Capitalisation.


My sense is while there may be some formal rules around capitalisation the real usage is informal and used for effect. I also suspect that non-European languages would see caps (where they exist) in a different cultural light.

OB


Letter case - Wikipedia

 

[Red Gold]

Sorry - my topic is not about capital letters at all.

 

[Red Gold]

What about other translations for the German word "christlich"?

 

[Occams Barber]

Sorry - my topic is not about capital letters at all.

Sorry @Red Gold. When I saw you earlier differentiating between (C) and (c) 'Christianity' I wrongly assumed your issue was capitalisation rather than the use of christian as an adjective.

OB

 

[Red Gold]

I wrongly assumed your issue was capitalisation rather than the use of christian as an adjective.

that was just an un-important side remark.

 

[GodLovesCats]

Christian capitalized is a proper noun. If you write christian lowercase, I will always take offense to that - even if it is obviously a typo.

As an adjective, it is "I am a Christian woman." a capital C is required.

Now when looking at the word Christian around the world, how will anyone know whhat the context is for a proper noun that is sometimes used as an adjective?

 

[Red Gold]

As an adjective, it is "I am a Christian woman." a capital C is required.

That's the way I see it as well.

 

[Red Gold]

Now when looking at the word Christian around the world, how will anyone know whhat the context is for a proper noun that is sometimes used as an adjective?

Everyone who speaks that language will know.

 

[Red Gold]

Christian capitalized is a proper noun. If you write christian lowercase, I will always take offense to that - even if it is obviously a typo.

As an adjective, it is "I am a Christian woman." a capital C is required.

I know all this.
When writing in English, I always use the C.

When writing in German, it is like this:

the noun is Christ or Christin.
the adjective is christlich.

Do you take offence now?
Do you damn the German language because "christlich" is written with a small c in German?

 

[Red Gold]

As an adjective, it is "I am a Christian woman." a capital C is required.

Translated into German that is: "Ich bin eine christliche Frau."

 

[Red Gold]

What goes for Religions also goes for Nationalities in German:

Britain, British = Großbritannien, british
France, French = Frankreich, französisch
Germany, German = Deutschland, deutsch

 

[GodLovesCats]

I know all this.
When writing in English, I always use the C.

When writing in German, it is like this:

the noun is Christ or Christin.
the adjective is christlich.

Do you take offence now?
Do you damn the German language because "christlich" is written with a small c in German?

I don't know the German language.

 

[Red Gold]

I don't know the German language.

You do NOT have to know the German language.
You only have to know what an adjecive is.
And realize, that adjectives usually start with a small letter.

In English adjectives referring to natioanalities and religions start with a big letter.
But there are other languages outside the English language - and there this is not the case.
And that is no insult - neither to religions nor to nationalities.

Again some examples:

English: Catholic, Protestant, Christian
German: katholisch, protestantisch, christlich

 

[Red Gold]

Some more examples:

German nouns: Katholik, Protestant, Anglikaner, Kopte, Christ
German adjectives: katholisch, protestantisch, anglikanisch, koptisch, christlich