Do Scandinavian languages share at all in this characteristic? Menighetsmaessig presteutdanelse comes to mind (I realize I haven't spelled that correctly, including not looking up how to do the combined ae letter).
Yes, to a large extent. I don't think they generally go to the lengths the Germans do, though.
The combination Michael quotes, by the way, means "pastoral education suitable for the congregation."
Today's subject: long words is a masterpiece. I am reminded of John LeCarre's spy, the Englishman George Smiley, who loved the German language because of its ponderous precision (but which made lying very dangerous).
As for the weather, it is chilly today in south Texas, but primavera is just a warm breath away. Perhaps you could justify a trip to Galveston or Corpus Christi. Galveston has a large Norwegian community ... maybe you could call it research.
Someday when I'm rich, I'll go south when it's spring, and follow the season north.
Mark Twain wrote of The Awful German Language and of German books not being ". . . entirely free from attacks of the Parenthesis distemper . . . ."
Thanks, Dave. I'd often heard of that essay, but had never read it before.
Interesting that his view of German seems to be that it's a somewhat effete and sentimental language. I don't think that's the impression of Americans today.
Lars, Hunter Baker has linked to this post from redstate.com/redhot/ That's a nice influx of visitors.
You, sir, are an innovator, a thinker, an outofbox kind of man. I'm proud to know you.