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kamtig

English translation: so-called

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GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)

Afrikaans term or phrase:	kamtig
English translation:	so-called
Entered by:	Anita du Plessis

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17:50 Dec 31, 2009

Afrikaans to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature

Afrikaans term or phrase: kamtig

in a poem: gaan vertel daai kamtige sad stories van jou vir die mense wat die reëls maak

Lindsay Edwards KudoZ activity Questions: 50 (2 open) (2 without valid answers) (1 closed without grading) Answers: 90
Local time: 23:58

so-called

Explanation:
The "so-called sad stories", or stories that are not exactly the truth.

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Note added at 19 mins (2009-12-31 18:09:45 GMT)
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We have quite a few words describing "kamtig", also found are "kamstig" and "kamma". They all have the meaning of so-called or quasi. All stretching the truth a bit. We use it normally in quite a sarcastic way, generally Afrikaans people do not like people who pretend and tell stories and this word is used to tell a person that we are not fooled by their "kamtige rykdom/stories" or so-called wealth/stories or whatever they pretend to have or do.

Selected response from:

Anita du Plessis
South Africa
Local time: 23:58

Grading comment

Thanks - I actually opted for 'so-said', but you put me on the right track.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

4 +1

so-called

Anita du Plessis

falsely presumed by object

Samuel Murray

Answers

10 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

so-called

Hy is kamtig so vernaam en ryk. He is a so-called rich and important man.

Anita du Plessis
South Africa
Local time: 23:58
Works in field
Native speaker of:

Afrikaans
PRO pts in category: 16

Grading comment

Thanks - I actually opted for 'so-said', but you put me on the right track.

1 day16 hrs confidence:

falsely presumed by object

Explanation:
Kamtig is an adjective used by the speaker to imply that the object's presumption about itself is false.

If John says "Mary is kamtig ryk" (Mary is ... rich) then it means that John believes that Mary isn't really rich, even if she thinks so (or tries to give that impression).

If you want a one-word translation for "kamtig", then "so-called" is probably your best bet. However, I think the word "kamtig" has such a loaded meaning that it may be better to rewrite the sentence entirely. The exact meaning of "kamtig" would depend on the sentence in which is it used.

Kamtig (also kastig) is also sometimes used as a stop word or a fillter word where an expletive might have been left out, or if the speaker feels self-righteous about something.

Samuel Murray
Netherlands
Local time: 23:58
Works in field
Native speaker of:

Afrikaans

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Changes made by editors

Jan 5, 2010 - Changes made by Anita du Plessis:
Created KOG entry	KudoZ term => KOG term

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kamtig

English translation: so-called

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English translation: so-called

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KudoZ™ translation helpThe KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

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