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34 [thirty-four]

On the train

34 [vierendertig]	In de trein

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The development of language

Why we speak with each other is clear. We want to exchange ideas and understand each other. How exactly language originated, on the other hand, is less clear. Various theories exist about this. What's certain is that language is a very old phenomenon. Certain physical traits were a prerequisite for speaking. They were necessary in order for us to form sounds. People as far back as the Neanderthals had the ability to apply their voice. In this way, they could distinguish themselves from animals. Additionally, a loud, firm voice was important for defense. A person could threaten or frighten enemies with it. Back then, tools had already been made and fire had been discovered. This knowledge had to be passed along somehow. Speech was also important for hunting in groups. As early as 2 million years ago there was a simple understanding among people. The first linguistic elements were signs and gestures. But people wanted to be able to communicate in the dark too. More importantly, they also had the need to talk to each other without looking. Therefore, the voice developed, and it replaced the gestures. Language in today's sense is at least 50,000 years old. When Homo sapiens left Africa, they distributed language around the world. The languages separated from each other in the different regions. That is to say, various language families came into being. However, they only contained the fundamentals of language systems. The first languages were much less complex than languages today. They were further developed through grammar, phonology and semantics. It could be said that different languages have different solutions. But the problem was always the same: How do I show what I'm thinking?

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Is that the train to Berlin?	I_ d_t d_ t_e_n n_a_ B_r_i_n_ Is dat de trein naar Berlijn? I_ d__ d_ t____ n___ B_______ Is dat de trein naar Berlijn? __ ___ __ _____ ____ ________ Is dat de trein naar Berlijn?
When does the train leave?	W_n_e_r v_r_r_k_ d_ t_e_n_ Wanneer vertrekt de trein? W______ v_______ d_ t_____ Wanneer vertrekt de trein? _______ ________ __ ______ Wanneer vertrekt de trein?
When does the train arrive in Berlin?	W_n_e_r k_m_ d_ t_e_n i_ B_r_i_n a_n_ Wanneer komt de trein in Berlijn aan? W______ k___ d_ t____ i_ B______ a___ Wanneer komt de trein in Berlijn aan? _______ ____ __ _____ __ _______ ____ Wanneer komt de trein in Berlijn aan?

Excuse me, may I pass?	P_r_o_, m_g i_ e_ l_n_s_ Pardon, mag ik er langs? P______ m__ i_ e_ l_____ Pardon, mag ik er langs? _______ ___ __ __ ______ Pardon, mag ik er langs?
I think this is my seat.	I_ d_n_ d_t d_t m_j_ p_a_t_ i_. Ik denk dat dat mijn plaats is. I_ d___ d__ d__ m___ p_____ i__ Ik denk dat dat mijn plaats is. __ ____ ___ ___ ____ ______ ___ Ik denk dat dat mijn plaats is.
I think you’re sitting in my seat.	I_ g_l_o_ d_t u o_ m_j_ p_a_t_ z_t_ Ik geloof dat u op mijn plaats zit. I_ g_____ d__ u o_ m___ p_____ z___ Ik geloof dat u op mijn plaats zit. __ ______ ___ _ __ ____ ______ ____ Ik geloof dat u op mijn plaats zit.

Where is the sleeper?	W_a_ i_ d_ s_a_p_a_e_? Waar is de slaapwagen? W___ i_ d_ s__________ Waar is de slaapwagen? ____ __ __ ___________ Waar is de slaapwagen?
The sleeper is at the end of the train.	D_ s_a_p_a_e_ i_ a_n h_t e_n_ v_n d_ t_e_n_ De slaapwagen is aan het eind van de trein. D_ s_________ i_ a__ h__ e___ v__ d_ t_____ De slaapwagen is aan het eind van de trein. __ __________ __ ___ ___ ____ ___ __ ______ De slaapwagen is aan het eind van de trein.
And where is the dining car? – At the front.	E_ w_a_ i_ d_ r_s_a_r_t_e_a_e_? – A_n h_t b_g_n_ En waar is de restauratiewagen? – Aan het begin. E_ w___ i_ d_ r________________ – A__ h__ b_____ En waar is de restauratiewagen? – Aan het begin. __ ____ __ __ _________________ _ ___ ___ ______ En waar is de restauratiewagen? – Aan het begin.

Can I sleep below?	M_g i_ b_n_d_n s_a_e_? Mag ik beneden slapen? M__ i_ b______ s______ Mag ik beneden slapen? ___ __ _______ _______ Mag ik beneden slapen?
Can I sleep in the middle?	M_g i_ i_ h_t m_d_e_ s_a_e_? Mag ik in het midden slapen? M__ i_ i_ h__ m_____ s______ Mag ik in het midden slapen? ___ __ __ ___ ______ _______ Mag ik in het midden slapen?
Can I sleep at the top?	M_g i_ b_v_n s_a_e_? Mag ik boven slapen? M__ i_ b____ s______ Mag ik boven slapen? ___ __ _____ _______ Mag ik boven slapen?

When will we get to the border?	W_n_e_r z_j_ w_ b_j d_ g_e_s_ Wanneer zijn we bij de grens? W______ z___ w_ b__ d_ g_____ Wanneer zijn we bij de grens? _______ ____ __ ___ __ ______ Wanneer zijn we bij de grens?
How long does the journey to Berlin take?	H_e l_n_ d_u_t d_ r_i_ n_a_ B_r_i_n_ Hoe lang duurt de reis naar Berlijn? H__ l___ d____ d_ r___ n___ B_______ Hoe lang duurt de reis naar Berlijn? ___ ____ _____ __ ____ ____ ________ Hoe lang duurt de reis naar Berlijn?
Is the train delayed?	H_e_t d_ t_e_n v_r_r_g_n_? Heeft de trein vertraging? H____ d_ t____ v__________ Heeft de trein vertraging? _____ __ _____ ___________ Heeft de trein vertraging?

Do you have something to read?	H_e_t u i_t_ t_ l_z_n_ Heeft u iets te lezen? H____ u i___ t_ l_____ Heeft u iets te lezen? _____ _ ____ __ ______ Heeft u iets te lezen?
Can one get something to eat and to drink here?	K_n j_ h_e_ i_t_ t_ e_e_ e_ t_ d_i_k_n k_i_g_n_ Kun je hier iets te eten en te drinken krijgen? K__ j_ h___ i___ t_ e___ e_ t_ d______ k_______ Kun je hier iets te eten en te drinken krijgen? ___ __ ____ ____ __ ____ __ __ _______ ________ Kun je hier iets te eten en te drinken krijgen?
Could you please wake me up at 7 o’clock?	K_n_ u m_j o_ 7_0_ u_r w_k_e_? Kunt u mij om 7.00 uur wekken? K___ u m__ o_ 7___ u__ w______ Kunt u mij om 7.00 uur wekken? ____ _ ___ __ ____ ___ _______ Kunt u mij om 7.00 uur wekken?

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The development of language

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