On 12/12/05, Anders Johansson
On Monday 12 December 2005 15:07, Anders Johansson wrote:
"helga" and "heliga" both mean "holy", but "helga" is archaic and never used outside psalms and such like
"helga" still survives, in some sense, as a verb meaning "sanctify", but the adjective sense is almost completely dead
I might add that they're all related to words like helgon (saint) and helg (the Swedish word for holiday - holy day - also used for weekends and other non-religious holidays; holidays that aren't holy are still holy days)
Wow! The similarity to the German version (for those that don't know this is the Christmas carol 'Silent Night, Holy Night') is amazing. I never learned it myself at school but is does sound so beautiful sung in German. I have no doubt it is also equally beautiful in Swedish. I might add that I am not religious at all but I love this carol. -- ============================================== I am only human, please forgive me if I make a mistake it is not deliberate. ============================================== Take care this Xmas. PLEASE DON'T drink and drive. Kevan Farmer Linux user #373362 34 Hill Street Cheslyn Hay Staffordshire WS6 7HR