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Thread: What does "Mamihlapinatapai" means?

 
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    Moderator eidjit's Avatar
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    Default What does "Mamihlapinatapai" means?

    Being 2018 and full with millennials bogging the Internet I set to bring to you this word originated from the south tribes of Latin America, the "Yamana" Tribe.

    It is listed in the 1994 Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s most “succinct word”


    «Una mirada entre dos personas, cada una de las cuales espera que la otra comience una acción que ambas desean pero que ninguna se anima a iniciar»
    Or in english:

    “A look shared by two people, each wishing that the other would initiate something that they both desire, but which neither wants to begin”
    This article explains vastly the deep connection with the awkwardness of today. https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/mamihlapinatapai

    Personally I see this kind of behavior in my own life sometimes, I see it in pop culture, I see it in Anime and a lot of the Rom-Com of today.

    The inner conflict explained in a long word, that sounds both earthly and exotic, both filling and void.

    And I take this opportunity to ask you:
    Have you ever had a case of Mamihlapinatapai?

    _Eidji

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    Moderator reminder's Avatar
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    Default Re: What does "Mamihlapinatapai" means?

    ¡Hola!

    Hay muchísimas palabras complejas y profundas que no son de uso cotidiano.

    Este término de un pueblo originario de Tierra del Fuego (extremo sur de la Argentina) me hace recordar palabras de la cultura oriental que hacen alusión a los sentimientos. Uno está más acostumbrado a usar términos asociados con las acciones.

    Un ejemplo de este término es encender/apagar el sistema de aire acondicionado en una oficina, o bien, subir/bajar la temperatura.



    ¿Cuál sería el equivalente en inglés? ¿Y en francés?

    Last edited by reminder; 04-18-2018 at 09:39 AM.

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    Moderator eidjit's Avatar
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    Default Re: What does "Mamihlapinatapai" means?

    Otro gran ejemplo de esta palabra fuera de lo romántico es el SUSPENSO!

    El Animé Death Note:

    Ambos desean descubrir/desenmascarar el uno al otro y hasta que uno no lo haga primero no lo puede hacer el otro.
    Para no quedar implicados cada uno.
    Muchos Thrillers tienen esta característica.
    _Eidji

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    Default Re: What does "Mamihlapinatapai" means?

    Hi!

    It is a nice word, and I also think we shouldn't only concentrate on its romantic interpretation. I read the entire article, and found it rather dispiriting... the language dying out with the Abuela. It's too sad.

    I walked from Ushuaia to Estancia Harberton, where Thomas Bridges lived, and heard his story. He compiled the first Yaghan dictionary, though I don't really know how good it is.
    His story is really interesting. A chaplain found him, and since his clothes had an embroidered T, he was named Thomas. And his surname comes from the place where he was found... a bridge somewhere in England (can't remember which). Reminds me a bit of Oliver Twist...

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