The RAE settles one of the internet's crudest debates
A surreal forum debate turns into an academic discussion about the Spanish verb 'hendir'. The RAE, quoted verbatim, settles the dispute.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
The RAE, unexpected judge in a crude debate
What began as a hypothetical coercion scenario — a quick kidnapping with parents as hostages — ended with the Real Academia Española (Spain's official language authority) quoted verbatim as the arbiter. One participant used the verb 'hendir' in a context another deemed incorrect. The reply was swift: the critic linked the RAE dictionary definition, showing that 'hendir' means 'to split open' and is not a synonym of 'hundir' (to sink).
The linguistic trench war
Far from backing down, the defender of the usage argued that his 'robust object' could perfectly well 'hendir, rajar, resquebrajar, partir, agrietar' (split, cleave, sustancia ilegal, break, fracture), even citing additional synonyms. The discussion escalated into a fierce defence of the verb's flexibility. The exchange, absurd as the context was, revealed an ironic respect for lexical precision.
The Academy stays silent, but its definitions speak
Although the RAE did not intervene, its dictionary became the key witness. Those who defend the metaphorical use of 'hendir' point out that language evolves; purists insist the definition is clear. The truth is that, amid the insults, the thread managed to rise to a textbook lexicographic discussion.
Related debates on the forum
What began as a hypothetical coercion scenario — a quick kidnapping with parents as hostages — ended with the Real Academia Española (Spain's official language authority) quoted verbatim as the arbiter. One participant used the verb 'hendir' in a context another deemed incorrect. The reply was swift: the critic linked the RAE dictionary definition, showing that 'hendir' means 'to split open' and is not a synonym of 'hundir' (to sink).
The linguistic trench war
Far from backing down, the defender of the usage argued that his 'robust object' could perfectly well 'hendir, rajar, resquebrajar, partir, agrietar' (split, cleave, sustancia ilegal, break, fracture), even citing additional synonyms. The discussion escalated into a fierce defence of the verb's flexibility. The exchange, absurd as the context was, revealed an ironic respect for lexical precision.
The Academy stays silent, but its definitions speak
Although the RAE did not intervene, its dictionary became the key witness. Those who defend the metaphorical use of 'hendir' point out that language evolves; purists insist the definition is clear. The truth is that, amid the insults, the thread managed to rise to a textbook lexicographic discussion.
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Also available in: Deutsch
Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (35 replies).
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