Comparing Emotional Intensity
Between Languages
A Parallel Corpus Investigation on the Swedish Word Njuta and its
English Equivalents
Hon lekte och njöt, befriad från oss; från mig! (RJ1)
She was enjoying herself, playing with the water. She was rid of us, rid of me!
(RJ1T)
Ann-Louise Granlund 741126-8225 Supervisor: Andrea Gerbig Communication in English 41-60 p IMER, Malmö Högskola
Table of contents
1. Introduction 1
2. Background 2
3. Design of the Present study 4
4. Results section 6
4.1. Investigation results with English as the original lang. 6 4.1.1 Table 1: Enjoy. Fiction, English, Original. 6 4.1.2 Summary of Table 1: Njuta, njöt, njutit, njuter. 8 4.1.3 Table 2: Enjoy. Non-Fiction, English, Original. 9 4.1.4 Summary of Table 2: Njuta, njöt, njutit, njuter. 11 4.1.5 Table 3: Njuta. Fiction, Swedish, Translation. 12 4.1.6 Summary of Table 3: Njuta, njöt, njutit, njuter. 13 4.1.7 Table 4: Njuta. Non-fiction, Swedish, Trans. 14 4.1.8 Summary of Table 4: Njuta, njöt, njutit, njuter. 15 4.1.9 Summary of results. English as original lang. 16 4.2. Investigation results with Swedish as the original language 17 4.2.1 Table 5: Njuta. Fiction, Swedish, Original. 17 4.2.2 Summary of Table 5: Njuta, njöt, njutit, njuter. 18 4.2.3 Table 6: Njuta. Non-fiction, Swedish, Original. 19 4.2.4 Summary of Table 6: Njuta, njöt, njutit, njuter. 19 4.2.5 Table 7: Enjoy. Fiction, English, Translation. 20 4.2.6 Summary of Table 7: Njuta, njöt, njutit, njuter. 21 4.2.7 Table 8: Enjoy. Non-fiction, English, Trans. 22 4.2.8 Summary of Table 8: Njuta, njöt, njutit, njuter. 24 4.2.9 Summary of results. Swedish as original lang. 25
5. Discussion and conclusion 26
6. References 29
7. Appendices 30
7.1. Svenska Akademins Ordbok på nätet 30
7.2 Www.dictionary.com 38
1. Introduction
This paper seeks to investigate the emotional semantic differences between the Swedish word njuta and its English equivalents. As a Swede, when attempting to describe the word njuta, the first natural description is to have feelings of lust, or to experience something with passion. The most common translation of the word into English is enjoy1, and the first natural description of this word is for me to like something, or to find pleasure in it. In
accordance with this first, rough look at the Swedish word and its equal in English, it seems to me that the English equivalent is less emotionally charged when comparing the two.
A Swedish-English dictionary will state that njuta should be translated simply as enjoy, but there are other possible ways of describing the word that maybe require more words, or rewriting, to fully cover the whole meaning of the original word in Swedish. A way of clarifying this would be for myself, or someone else, proficient in both Swedish and English to translate a great number of sentences from Swedish to English or vice versa in a way that exposes the full emotional meaning of the word njuta. Unfortunately, this is not possible for me to do in this paper, due to lack of space and time. I will only give a few examples, to show a slight difference in meaning between a Swedish and English version of a sentence. I chose not to investigate the cultural aspects of this difference.
The words that I have chosen to investigate have a wider meaning apart from simply experiencing feelings of pleasure to different degrees. They are also used in connection with having something, possessing, valuing, or consuming something2. By an
English-Swedish Parallel Corpus investigation I will try to show the variety of semantic definitions of usage of the word. The aim and scope of this paper is to demonstrate, in accordance with my hypothesis, how the English equivalents of the Swedish word njuta carry less emotional value, and that the Swedish word is more intense and semantically stronger than the English enjoy.
2. Background
The cultural aspect of language is one that is very difficult to investigate empirically, because there are so many factors to take into consideration. One has to take not only words and grammar, and the tone, intention and type of text into account, but also features of the writer (dialect, culture, sex, age, etc.), intended reader, level of formality, emotional tone and so on (Lorentzon 6, 2002). Clearly, conducting research of this kind is extremely time consuming, which is why many researchers in the field concentrate on one, or only a few of the named aspects of cultural linguistics. Further reading on Translation theory can be done in Peter Newmark’s A Textbook of Translation. The question of equivalence when translating between languages depends on how close a translation should be to the original, maintaining the original intent of the text producer, but at the same time adapting to
differences in culture, which might effect how words are interpreted. This dilemma often leads to the translated text differentiating from the original to various degrees, and in the texts I found during my investigative work with the English-Swedish Parallel Corpus (ESPC), I saw several examples of this.
Comparison between different European languages is, of course, not a new field of research, and several linguistic investigations have been made previously. However, what is interesting for me is the connection between culture and language, and in this case differences in emotional tone when comparing languages. In Dirven and Verspoor’s Cognitive
Exploration of Language and Linguistics it is said about the difference in emotionally charged words between English and other European languages that English is “the odd one out”, meaning that words in English that describe an emotional state are generally less intense and semantically weaker than corresponding words in other European languages. They claim that the reason for this is connected to
"[ . . .] the traditional Anglo-Saxon distaste for extreme emotions. True, the English language does possess more exuberant words (such as joy, bliss, and ecstasy), but their comparative rarity only reinforces the point that emotional discourse in English has a distinctly muted quality when compared with many of the other languages of Europe" (Dirven and Verspoor 148, 1998).
Unfortunately, Dirven and Verspoor do not refer to any specific empirical research done at any particular time, to support their statement, but present examples of how the English words happy and joy are used, and translated into other languages. Their presentation shows that the
Translating between languages requires understanding of the cultures in which the languages are used, because the discourse we use is based on the culture we live in. Linguists such as Sapir pointed this out, and acknowledged that human speech is not only something that we instinctively are able to learn from birth, but that society determines discourse used.
"Speech, according to Sapir, is an extremely complex and ever-shifting network of adjustments - in the brain, in the nervous system, and in the articulating and auditory organs - tending towards the desired end of communication (Sapir 1921:7) That desire, the will, is neither physical, nor mechanical, but the cultural product of the society in which the speaker lives" (Landmarks in Linguistic thought II 5, 2001).
The statement that Dirven and Verspoor make on the Anglo-Saxon distaste for extreme emotions being the reason that emotional discourse in the English language has a muted quality, finds support in this theory.
3. Design of the present study
I have used the English-Swedish Parallel Corpus (ESPC) for my investigation. The ESPC consists of 40 English text samples and their translations into Swedish, and 40 Swedish text samples translated into English. In total, the corpus consists of about 2 million words, from both fictional and non-fictional literary works.
I looked at the Swedish words “njuta”, “njöt”, “njutit” and “njuter”, to find as many hits as possible. As comparison, I also looked at the most common English translation of these words, which are “enjoy” and other forms of the word. Using the ESPC means typing in the target word, in this case “njuta”, in various grammatical forms, then choosing whether the result of the search should come from a fictional or non-fictional text, in Swedish or English, and if the word found should be from an original text, or a translation thereof. I then repeated the procedure using the corresponding “enjoy”, in its various forms, as target word.
From the result derived from the ESPC I wanted to get a clear view of the emotional intensity level of the words, and therefore I have classified them under keywords (my interpretation), describing on which emotional level the word is used (see below). The result was then organized in tables, where each example is presented only once. The reason for that is that when trying different possible combinations (fiction-non-fiction, Swedish-English, translation-original) I sometimes came across exactly the same sentences and translations more than once and found no reason of repeating them in the table. However, the search result is presented above each table, containing the complete result for each combination, which is why the results number might not be the same as the actual number of entries in the table below it. The ESPC automatically filters through the material, leaving out double sentences and multiple editions of the same text.
In order to compile the results of my investigation, and be able to interpret them, I have graded them, based on a scale showing my interpretation of the investigated words. The scale shows how, according to my beliefs, emotionally intense the words are. It is necessary to point out that emotions are highly personal, which is why the label “my interpretation” is used, but at the same time there is also a general agreement on how emotions can be described, using more or less intense discourse. For example, most people would agree that the word love is more emotionally intense than like. The words I have used as keywords (under “my
Take/find pleasure in, derive pleasure from **** . Take/took delight in (positive), take/find malicious delight in (negative), triumph **** .
Appreciate, appreciated, value *** .
Like, likes, liked ** .
Have/had fun * .
Be amused - .
Be pleased - .
Experience, find, found, consume Neutral .
Have, has, had, receive, get, got Neutral .
Become, will be Neutral .
Be able to Neutral .
It fit Neutral .
No exact translation Non-comparative
(****highest emotional level, ***high emotional level, **middle emotional level, *low emotional level, -very low emotional level)
In the 1st section of results, based on English originals, my interpretations apply to the Swedish version/translation of the English word. In the 2nd section of results, based on Swedish originals, my interpretations apply to the English version/translation of the Swedish word. Where there is no exact translation of the investigated word, a grading has not been made. The tables are described based on how searching is done in the ESPC database, that is, which choices have been made, for example Table 1 is based on fictional texts, in English, translated to Swedish, and Table 3 is based on fictional texts in Swedish, translated from English.
Tables 1 - 4 contain examples with English as the original language, and 5 - 8 examples with Swedish as the original language. A summary and analysis will follow each table, and a summary and analysis of each of the languages will end each section.
A discussion of the results and concluding remarks will follow the results section of the paper. In the results section, duplicate sentences have been eliminated, and I have shortened some sentences derived from the ESPC down to show only the part necessary for the analysis.
4. Results
The results of the empirical investigation done on the words njuta, njöt, njutit, njuter and the English equivalents enjoy, enjoys, enjoyed, enjoying will be presented in the form of tables showing both the Swedish and the English version of a sentence. A summary and analysis will follow each table. Investigation results with English as the original language will be shown first, concluded by an analysis of the section, after that investigation results with Swedish as the original language, and an analysis of the section will follow. The tables have been separated to make it easier to determine whether or not there is a difference in use of the word and in emotional intensity between the languages. The summaries of the section will facilitate an explanation and interpretation of the results in the discussion part of the paper.
4.1. Investigation results with English as the original language.
The tables have been separated to show if there is any difference in the use of the word and in emotional intensity between the languages.
4.1.1 Table 1: Enjoy, enjoys, enjoyed, enjoying. Fiction, English, Original
Total before filters: 29.
enjoys: 6, enjoying: 5, enjoyed: 18 Results: 1 to 29 (after filters)
(Interpretations apply to the Swedish version/translation of the English word. *No translation of the word)
English Swedish My
interpretation He enjoyed the prerequisites Han uppskattade fördelarna Appreciates,
appreciated and enjoyed nothing better than
discussing it
och med stor förtjusning diskuterade ämnet
Took great delight in but had not even enjoyed it men han hade inte ens haft något
nöje av den
Find, found, finding pleasure in
He had really enjoyed life in the Gambia
Han hade verkligen njutit av livet i Gambia
Likes, liked, like she in turn enjoyed repeating it hon tyckte i sin tur att det var
roligt att upprepa den
he enjoyed watching han tyckte om att se Likes, liked, like
he had once enjoyed han en gång hade haft Have, had,
having they enjoyed Kate's tales of Romley de uppskattade Kates anekdoter
från Romley
Appreciates, appreciated she enjoyed a skirmish uppskattade hon en skärmytsling Appreciates,
appreciated
rather enjoyed fann ett visst nöje i Find, found,
finding pleasure in
he enjoyed all his life the freedom hade hela livet förmånen Have, had, having enjoyed the luxury of comparative
privacy
åtnjutit lyxen av relativ ostördhet Have, had, having
he was enjoying himself hur bra han trivdes Likes, liked, like
enjoying the security njöt av tryggheten Have, had,
having
enjoying life njuta av livet Find, found,
finding pleasure in
enjoying the heavy, moist breeze njöt av den tunga, fuktiga brisen Find, found, finding pleasure in
I 'm enjoying the rest. Jag ligger så gärna en stund till.* (No exact translation)
enjoys listening tycker om att höra på Likes, liked, like
enjoys a measure of success åtnjuter en viss framgång Have, had, having although she enjoys it trots att hon trivs med det Appreciates,
appreciated She enjoys it up in Yorkshire. Hon trivs uppe i Yorkshire. Likes, liked, like which enjoys, on average där man i genomsnitt åtnjuter Consume
4.1.2 Summary of Table 1: Njuta, njöt, njutit, njuter.
The table below shows the interpretations organized according to frequency.
My interpretation Number of entries Percent
Likes, liked, like 6 26,08
Have, had, having 5 21,74
Find, found, finding pleasure in 4 17,39
Appreciates, appreciated 3 13,04
Single interpretations 4 17,39
Total 23 100
The following interpretations only occur once in the search results (single interpretations): have fun, took great delight in, no exact translation, and consume. Each word accounts for 4,34 % of the total result.
Analysis: Table 1 shows examples of the word enjoy being used in a context related to liking something, or possessing something. The emotional intensity is rather muted, also in cases involving finding pleasure in things and appreciating them.
4.1.3 Table 2: Enjoy, enjoys, enjoyed, enjoying. Non-Fiction, English, Original
Total before filters: 37.
enjoying : 4, enjoy : 17, enjoyed : 16 Results: 1 to 37 (after filters)
(Interpretations apply to the Swedish version/translation of the English word. *No translation of the word)
English Swedish My
interpretation
enjoy cooler weather lever i svalare klimat* (No exact
translation) must enjoy satisfactory health and
safety conditions skall åtnjuta godtagbara säkerhets och hälsoförhållanden Have, had, having
to enjoy mass support skall stödjas av många Will be
enjoy their support åtnjuta deras stöd Have, had,
having they generally enjoy it so much trivs de ofta så bra Likes, liked,
like enjoy the romance of pumping by
hand trivs med att pumpa vatten för hand Take pleasure in
do not enjoy the same 'Sunday school' reputation
inte har samma "söndagsskolerykte”
Have, had, having enjoy his uniquely efficacious
protection
åtnjuta hans beskydd som var unikt i sin verksamma kraft
Have, had, having "Do you enjoy life?" "Trivs du med livet?" Likes, liked,
like
You do n't enjoy life Du trivs inte med livet Likes, liked,
like the girls seemed to enjoy it very
much
flickorna verkade tycka om det Likes, liked, like
he did not enjoy it han tyckte inte om det Appreciates,
appreciated
enjoy their sex lives njuta av sitt sexualliv Derive
pleasure from he was to enjoy a comfortable
enjoy a monopoly of knowledge hade monopol på kunskap Have, had, having enjoyed another good year var 1999 ännu ett bra år* (No exact
translation) enjoyed much the same status åtnjöt ungefär samma status Have, had,
having
I enjoyed the history Jag uppskattade historien Appreciates,
appreciated But I enjoyed our very interesting
discussions
Jag fick emellertid stort utbyte av våra intressanta diskussioner
Have, had, having enjoyed walking in the countryside tyckte om att vandra omkring
ute i naturen
Likes, liked, like
I enjoyed the work tyckte om arbetet Likes, liked,
like But few enjoyed it more Inte många hade större glädje
av det Found more pleasure in
the breadth of powers that Gorbachev enjoyed
de vida maktbefogenheter som Gorbatjov hade
Have, had, having
enjoyed ten vigorous years kunnat verka i tio år Be able to
work enjoyed a numerical superiority hade en numerär överlägsenhet Have, had,
having enjoyed a year of significant
progress in 1998
blev det ett mycket framgångsrikt år 1998
Became the product enjoyed a successful
launch in Italy
lanserades produkten med framgång i Italien*
(No exact translation) the respect enjoyed by another hur alla respekterade en annan
person*
(No exact translation)
enjoyed the visits njöt av besöken Likes, liked,
like
He enjoyed the company Han trivdes tillsammans med Felt good
enjoying connections with hade förbindelser med Have, had,
4.1.4 Summary of Table 2: Njuta, njöt, njutit, njuter.
The table below shows the interpretations organized according to frequency.
My interpretation Number of entries Percent
Have, had, having 10 32,25
Likes, liked, like 7 22,58
No exact translation 4 12,90
Appreciates, appreciated 2 6,45
Single interpretations 8 25,81
Total 31 100
The following interpretations only occur once in the search results (single interpretations): take pleasure in, derive pleasure from, receive, feel good, found more pleasure in, be able to work, became, and will be. Each word accounts for 3,22 % of the total result.
Analysis: Table 2 shows examples of the word enjoy being used in a context related to possessing or liking something. Note that in 4 examples there is no exact translation for the English word, simply because the word enjoy cannot be translated in this form. The sentence has been rewritten to make sense to the Swedish reader, and for the sentence to have a natural flow. The sentences in Swedish are emotionally neutral in general, and using the Swedish word njuta would in most cases intensify the emotional meaning of the sentence.
4.1.5 Table 3: Njuta, njöt, njutit, njuter. Fiction, Swedish, Translation.
Total before filters: 22.
njuter : 1, njöt : 8, njuta : 12, njutit : 1 Results: 1 to 22 (after filters)
(Interpretations apply to the English version of the Swedish word. *No translation of the word)
Swedish English My
interpretations njuta av ett musikstycke, en bra
tavla eller en bra bok enjoy a bit of music or a good painting or a good book Value njuta ostört av dagens första
cigarrett
enjoy the first cigarette of the day undisturbed.
Consume njuta av bekvämligheter enjoy its comforts and
conveniences
Appreciate, appreciated njuta av vackra kläder och
annat
enjoy clothes and so on Value
Han skulle dock njuta mer av det
He would enjoy it more, though Likes, liked, like njuta av dem i enskildhet (Glen
diamanterna)
gloat over them in privacy Triumph
njuta av livet enjoy life Appreciate,
appreciated
njuta av livet enjoying life Appreciate,
appreciated att njuta av att se Ciel bestraffas to enjoy Ciel's punishment Malicious
delight in gå runt och njuta av alla lukter
och färger och ljud browse amongst the smells and tints and sounds* Experience
njuta av att höra på enjoy listening Appreciate,
appreciated
njuta av att läsa böcker enjoy reading books Likes, liked, like
njuter de av att se folk dö they get their kicks from
watching people die* Malicious delight in
njöt av tryggheten enjoying the security Had
njöt av den tunga, fuktiga brisen enjoying the heavy, moist breeze
Find/found pleasure in
Förr njöt jag av stridslarmet I used to enjoy the smell of
battle Likes, liked, like
njöt av att sjunka ner i påtvingad sysslolöshet
enjoyed the relapse into enforced inertia
Find/found pleasure in njöt av att svara på frågor enjoyed being asked questions Likes, liked, like njöt av det ironiska i situationen enjoyed the irony of it all Was amused Jag njöt av att se gräset ändra
färg
I loved watching the grass change colour*
Delight in njöt av tanken på att få sova ut delighted at the idea of sleeping
late* Pleased
4.1.6 Summary of Table 3: Njuta, njöt, njutit, njuter.
The table below shows the interpretations organized according to frequency.
My interpretation Number of
entries
Percent
Appreciate, appreciated 4 19,04
Likes, liked, like 4 19,04
Value 2 9,52
Malicious delight in 2 9,52
Find / Found pleasure in 2 9,52
Single interpretations 7 33,33
Total 21 100
The following interpretations only occur once in the search results (single interpretations): consume, triumph, experience, had, was amused, delight in, and pleased. Each word accounts for 4,76 % of the total result.
Analysis: The table shows that the English originals are most commonly
connected to appreciation of something and to liking something. Note that the sentence I loved watching the grass change colour, which does not contain the word enjoyed, is translated as jag njöt av att se gräset ändra färg. It is obvious that the word enjoy does not carry sufficient emotional intensity to be used in this sentence, so a stronger word, loved, is used. However, in
because it is emotionally intense enough.
4.1.7 Table 4: Njuta, njöt, njutit, njuter. Non-fiction, Swedish, Translation.
Total before filters: 12. njuter : 2, njöt : 6, njuta : 4 Results: 1 to 12 (after filters)
(Interpretations apply to the English version of the Swedish word. *No translation of the word)
Swedish English My
interpretation s
njuter av att titta på elden please the eye* (No exact
translation)
njöt av vårt vankelmod dithered enjoyably Indulge in
njöt långa siestor enjoying siestas Have
Han njöt av det mottagande He relished the welcome Found delight in
njöt av besöken enjoyed the visits Liked
också när jag njöt av den even while I was enjoying it Appreciate, appreciated njöt på ett mindre högsint sätt
av brutaliteten
a less high-minded enjoyment of brutality
Malicious delight in
för att njuta sitt otium to relax* (No exact
translation) njuta av den storslagna utsikten
den över London for fine views of the capital* (No exact translation) den miljö vi njuter och
använder oss av
the climate and environment we enjoy and freely exploit
Appreciate, appreciated
4.1.8 Summary of Table 4: Njuta, njöt, njutit, njuter.
The table below shows the interpretations organized according to frequency.
My interpretation Number of entries Percent No exact translation 3 30 Appreciate, appreciated 2 20 Single interpretations 4 40 Total 10 100
The following interpretations only occur once in the search results (single interpretations): indulge in, have, liked, found delight in, and malicious delight in. Each word accounts for 10 % of the total result.
Analysis: This table shows 4 entries where there is no English version of the Swedish word njuta; the sentences with no exact translation have simply been rewritten, to, in accordance with Translation theory, better convey the meaning of these in a natural way. The sentences have been adapted to the other language, to fit the general setting and context, and intention of the text producer. In one sentence; He relished the welcome (Swe. Han njöt av det mottagande) a more descriptive word is used, for the reader to fully understand the original intension of the writer. Enjoy would simply not fit in these sentences, but the Swedish word njuta does.
4.1.9 Summary of results with English as the original language The table below shows the interpretations organized according to frequency.
My interpretation Nr of entries Percent Fiction
Non-fiction
Likes, liked, like 18 21,17 4 8
Have, had, having 17 20 6 11
Appreciates, appreciated 11 12,94 7 4
No exact translation 8 9,41 1 7
Find, found, finding pleasure in 7 8,23 6 1
Malicious delight in 3 3,52 2 1
Value 2 2,35 2
Consume 2 2,35 2
Single interpretations 14 16,66
Total (incl. single words) 84 100 30 32
The following interpretations only occur once in the search results (single interpretations): have fun, took great delight in, take pleasure in, derive pleasure from, receive, feel good, become, be able to work, will be, triumph, experience, was amused, indulge in, and found delight in. Each word accounts for 1,17 % of the total result.
Analysis: It is quite clear that the majority of the interpretations have to do with liking, possessing or appreciating something. Note that among single collocations you find some strong emotional expressions such as taking pleasure in, or deriving pleasure from something. Non-fictional texts also contain more hits in connection with liking or possessing something. Less than 10 percent of the sentences have been rewritten in a way that does not translate the original sentence, but could in a larger perspective be said to convey the original intent of the writer.
4.2. Investigation results with Swedish as the original language.
4.2.1 Table 5: Njuta, njöt, njutit, njuter. Fiction, Swedish, Original.
Total before filters: 11. njuter : 3, njöt : 5, njuta : 3 Results: 1 to 11 (after filters)
(Interpretationsapply to the English translation of the Swedish word. *No translation of the word)
Swedish English My
interpretation njuta av den smalspåriga linjen enjoy the narrow gauge railway Appreciate njuta effekten av slipade stenar enjoy the effect of polished stones Delight in
njuta av kvällsluften enjoying the evening air Find pleasure
in
Han njuter av min svaghet He enjoys my weakness. Malicious
delight in Jag blundar och njuter I shut my eyes and enjoy myself Find pleasure
in
hon njuter sig mätt they enjoy themselves to the full Consume njöt av den förrädiskt vällustiga
känslan
enjoying the misleadingly voluptuous feeling
Find pleasure in
njöt av det högdramatiska i sin egen formulering
pleased with the dramatic sound of his own phrase*
Likes, liked, like
Hon lekte och njöt, befriad från oss; från mig!
She was enjoying herself, playing with the water. She was rid of us, rid of me!
Having fun
Att den effekten också njöt henne, det anade hon inte då
She had no idea that effect also enjoyed her
Find/take pleasure in Njöt som bara den hela vägen. Had a wonderful time all the way.
*
Find/take pleasure in
4.2.2 Summary of Table 5: Njuta, njöt, njutit, njuter.
The table below shows the interpretations organized according to frequency.
My interpretation Number of
entries Percent
Find/take pleasure in 5 36,36
Single interpretations 6 54,54
Total 11 100
The following interpretations only occur once in the search results (single interpretations): having fun, appreciate, delight in, malicious delight in, liked, and consume. Each word accounts for 9, 09 % of the total result.
Analysis: The table shows that the English translations are most commonly connected to taking pleasure in doing something, or finding pleasure in something. The Swedish originals are emotionally expressive, and connected to experiencing something of a pleasurable nature.
4.2.3 Table 6: Njuta, njöt, njutit, njuter. Non-fiction, Swedish, Original.
Total before filters: 3. njuta : 3
Results: 1 to 3 (after filters)
(Interpretations apply to the English version/translation of the Swedish word. *No translation of the word)
Swedish English My
interpretation njuta av hans eller hennes konst enjoying his or her art Appreciate,
appreciated I alla väder kan stenarbetarna sen
njuta av utsikten med
stockholmarnas bilar i orörliga köer.
– (No exact
translation) njuta arbetets frukter enjoy the fruits of their
labour
Appreciate, appreciated
4.2.4 Summary of Table 6: Njuta, njöt, njutit, njuter.
The table below shows the interpretations organized according to frequency. My interpretation Number of entries Percent
Appreciate, appreciated
2 66,66
No exact translation 1 33,33
Total 3 100
Analysis: The table shows examples of use of the words njuta and enjoy respectively.
4.2.5 Table 7: Enjoy, enjoys, enjoyed, enjoying. Fiction, English, Translation.
Total before filters: 23.
enjoys : 1, enjoying : 4, enjoy : 13, enjoyed : 5 Results: 1 to 23 (after filters)
(Interpretationsapply to the Swedish version of the English word. *No translation of the word)
English Swedish My
interpretation Noddle Pete did not enjoy being
reminded of this occasion Det där ville Skalle Per inte gärna bli påmind om* Likes, liked, like
Just enjoy being at sea. Njut av landskapet. Appreciate,
appreciated she 'd enjoy getting to know hon skulle ha glädje av att lära
känna
Derive
pleasure from We 'd both enjoy sitting down at
her kitchen table
Till ömsesidig glädje skulle vi sitta ner vid hennes köksbord
Likes, liked, like
enjoy your fame to come njut av din kommande
berömmelse Delight in
I shut my eyes and enjoy myself Jag blundar och njuter Find/take pleasure in
he seems to enjoy having verkar han road av att ha Be amused
To enjoy the great outdoors Att trivas med sitt friluftsliv Likes, liked, like
to enjoy on the spot avnjuta på plats Consume
Show mea dog that wouldn't enjoy chasing an under-age, oversexed Red Indian?
Säg den hund som inte skulle tycka att det vore kul med lite skallgång efter en minderårig sexualfixerad indian.
Malicious delight in
We hope that you have enjoyed
the crossing Jag hoppas att ni har haft en trevlig överfart Having a good time he still enjoyed his old contacts hade han fortfarande stor glädje
av sina gamla kontakter
Value I 've enjoyed performing small
tasks
har jag trivts med ett lätt hantverk
Likes, liked, like
Yes, there was Birk, apparently
enjoying the scene. Ja, där stod Birk och tycktes ha roligt åt hela spektaklet. Amused by
4.2.6 Summary of Table 7: Njuta, njöt, njutit, njuter.
The table below shows the interpretations organized according to frequency.
My interpretation Number of
entries Percent
Likes, liked, like 4 26,66
Be amused, amused by 2 13,33
Single interpretations 10 66,66
Total 15 100
The following interpretations only occur once in the search results (single interpretations): having a good time, take pleasure in, appreciate, delight in, value, derive pleasure from, malicious delight in, liking, it fit, and consume. Each word accounts for 6,66 % of the total result.
Analysis: Table 5 shows examples of the word enjoy being used in a context related to liking something. The Swedish originals are not emotionally intense, which is why the word njuta has not been used, while enjoy is quite sufficient in the English translations.
4.2.7 Table 8: Enjoy, enjoys, enjoyed, enjoying. Non-fiction, English, Translation
Total before filters: 39.
enjoys : 1, enjoying : 3, enjoy : 12, enjoyed : 23 Results: 1 to 39 (after filters)
(Interpretationsapply to the Swedish version/translation of the English word. *No translation of the word)
English Swedish My
interpretation he could enjoy himself there han kunde trivas där Find pleasure we are now set to enjoy similar
free movement
vi nu får en fri rörlighet Have, had, having to enjoy credibility kunna agera med trovärdighet* (No exact
translation)
enjoy the same rights åtnjuta samma rättigheter Have, had,
having often enjoy negotiating powers har många gånger
förhandlingsansvar Have, had, having enjoy high safety standards en hög grad av säkerhet (No exact
translation) Here we enjoy another ten years Här får vi tio år till Get
spectacles that Stockholmers can enjoy
stockholmarnas uppskattade skådespel
Appreciate would enjoy summers in rented
houses for ut på sommarnöje* (No exact translation)
enjoy a standard of material wealth
upplever ett välstånd Have, had,
having enjoy the subsequent economies of
scale
de skalfördelar som detta skulle innebära*
(No exact translation) Gotland enjoyed a golden age upplevde Gotland en
storhetstid
Have, had, having Sweden enjoyed a brilliant era upplevde Sverige en
glansperiod Have, had, having
the respect they enjoyed den aktning de åtnjöt Received
Asplund enjoyed that part det tyckte Asplund var skojigt Found it amusing
But we slaves enjoyed ourselves Men vi slavar hade trevligt
tillsammans Had fun
the care we took and enjoyed taking
den här omsorgen som vi la ner och gärna la ner
Gladly The Nordic countries have enjoyed
free movement
har länge haft fri rörlighet Have, had, having This little group formally enjoyed
a monopoly Denna lilla grupp hade formellt sett monopol Have, had, having had enjoyed special privileges haft särskilda privilegier Have, had,
having Possibilities of influencing state
policies enjoyed
möjligheter till inflytande på den statliga politiken*
(No exact translation)
enjoyed a monopoly rådde monopol Have, had,
having
enjoyed direct contact stod i direkt kontakt Have, had,
having They enjoyed promotion and
honours
De fick befordran och ära Received were to be enjoyed rather nearer
the city
ha ett blygsamt avstånd från det ordinarie hemmet*
(No exact translation)
whole days enjoyed ta sig en fika i solskenet* (No exact
translation) the love of nature enjoyed by those
poor Swedes
den stackars storstadsarbetande svenskens naturkärlek
(No exact translation) enjoyed a great sense of
community känslan av samhörighet var stor Have, had, having enjoyed the benefit of a royal
scholarship kom i åtnjutande av kungligt stipendium Received enjoyed the fastest growth in
Europe
hade Europas snabbaste tillväxt Have, had, having enjoyed high profitability visar sedan många år god
lönsamhet*
(No exact translation) enjoyed an improved standard of
living
allt fler människor fick det bättre
enjoyed strong support in coastal
districts som hade stöd av "finansiärer" i kustbygderna Have, had, having enjoyed extremely favourable time
charters
haft synnerligen fördelaktig timecharter
Have, had, having people who had been out enjoying
themselves
människor som hade haft roligt Had fun Then while we were out enjoying
ourselves När vi sedan var ute och förlustade oss Having fun enjoys any renown in international
war history
får beröm i den internationella krigshistorien
Recieves
4.2.8 Summary of Table 8: Njuta, njöt, njutit, njuter.
The table below shows the interpretations organized according to frequency. My interpretation Number of entries Percent
Have, had, having 15 40,54
No exact translation 9 24,32 Received, receives 4 10,81 Had/having fun 3 8,10 Get, got 2 5,40 Single interpretations 4 10,81 Total 37 100
The following interpretations only occur once in the search results (single interpretations): find pleasure, appreciate, found it amusing, and gladly. Each word accounts for 2,7 % of the total result.
Analysis: Table 8 shows examples of the word enjoy being used in a context related to possessing, having or receiving something. In cases where there is no exact translation the sentences in Swedish have no connection with experiencing anything of an emotional nature, except in one case, for ut på sommarnöje, which can be translated as going out for summer pleasures. To have fun can be translated as having a nice or good time in
Swedish, and is not emotionally strong or intense, thereby the word njuta is not used in the original texts.
4.2.9 Summary of results with Swedish as the original language The table below shows the interpretations organized according to frequency.
My interpretation Nr of
entries
Percent Fiction
Non-fiction
Have, had, having 15 23,07 15
No exact translation 10 15,38 1 9
Take/find pleasure in 7 9,23 5 1
Like, likes, liked 5 7,69 5
Appreciate 5 7,69 2 3
Had, having fun 4 6,15 1 3
Received, receives 4 6,15 4 Consume 3 4,61 2 1 Get, got 2 3,07 2 Be amused by 2 3,07 2 Delight in 2 3,07 2 Malicious delight in 2 3,07 2 Single interpretations 6 9,23
Total (incl. single
words) 65 100 22 37
The following interpretations only occur once in the search results (single interpretations): it fit, found it amusing, gladly, having a good time, value, and derive pleasure from. Each word accounts for 1,53% of the total result.
Analysis: The main parts of the interpretations are used in context related to having or taking pleasure in something. Note that Table 5 contains a lot of emotionally
expressive sentences, especially the Swedish originals, which are descriptions of experiencing something of a pleasurable nature. In cases where there is no exact translation the sentences in Swedish have no connection with experiencing anything of an emotional kind. The non-fictional texts are less emotional, thus not as closely connected to this meaning of the word
5. Discussion and Conclusion
I sought out to investigate the emotional semantic differences between the Swedish word njuta and its English equivalents. My instinctive description of the word is to have feelings of lust for something, or to experience something with passion. The most common translation of the word into English is enjoy, and the first natural description of this word is for me to like something, or to find pleasure in something. In accordance with this first, rough look at the Swedish word and its equal in English, it seemed to me that the English equivalent is less emotionally charged when comparing the two. My investigation shows that my initial thoughts on these words are correct, but also that there is a wide range of usage both for the Swedish word njuta and its English equivalent enjoy. During the investigation I soon came to realise that there where very few examples of these words in the computer base ESPC, and that I wouldn't be able to excerpt only the examples connected to strong emotions, but that I had to use all material at hand. The words that I have chosen to investigate have a wider meaning apart from simply experiencing feelings of pleasure to different degrees. There are another four main descriptions of these words: liking, having, valuing, and consuming. The results derived from the ESPC show the variety of semantic definitions of usage of the word, and many of them are actually the same in Swedish, also in terms of intensity. The difference lies in the emotional intensity and meaning when the words are used to describe feelings of lust or pleasure. The purpose of this investigation was, in accordance with my hypothesis, to demonstrate how the English equivalents of the Swedish word ‘njuta’ carry less emotional value. The results show that it is so.
A Swedish-English dictionary states that ‘njuta’ should be translated simply as ’enjoy’, but there are other possible ways of translating the word that maybe require more words, or rewriting, to fully cover the whole meaning of the original word in Swedish. There are also cases where the translation is a rewriting, but the sentence still does not carry the same emotional value as the Swedish original, simply because the word enjoy does not. As I stated in the introduction to this paper, a way of clarifying this would be to translate a great number of sentences from Swedish to English or vice versa in a way that exposes the intense meaning of the word njuta in the lust filled, emotional sense of the word. I will give only a few
examples, to show a slight difference in meaning between a Swedish and English version of a sentence.
The first two examples are found in Table 5, they are examples from a Swedish fictional text, translated into English. The first Swedish original reads: Hon lekte och njöt, befriad från oss; från mig! , translated into English as: She was enjoying herself, playing with the water. She was rid of us, rid of me! Apparently, there is a girl, or woman, alone in, or close to water, at least that is what the English translation lets us know. In the Swedish sentence there is no reference to water, perhaps it has been mentioned before in the text. When I read the Swedish sentence it is easy for me to imagine her, playing alone, caught up in this moment of lust where the world around her has come to a stop. Nothing else exists. Her lust filled experience is caused by the fact that she is alone, and free to do as she pleases, without anyone disturbing her; she is delivered from the presence of others. A more accurate translation would be: She was playing lustfully, freed from us; from me! The English translation gives me a slightly different picture, because it seems to emphasise that she is playing with the water, and therefore in a state of pleasure, not lust. She is having fun, playing with the water. It is
secondary that she is alone. An accurate Swedish translation of the sentence would be: Hon roade sig, där hon lekte med vattnet. Hon var kvitt oss, kvitt mig! Another way to demonstrate the levels of intensity can be found in a sentence in table 5: I loved watching the grass change colour translated as jag njöt av att se gräset ändra färg. Here the word enjoy does not carry sufficient emotional intensity to be used in the sentence, so a stronger word, loved, is used. As mentioned in the analysis of table 5, in Swedish, njöt is quite appropriate to convey the same meaning as in the English variant, because it is comparable with loved as used here. Both are examples of emotionally charged words. The last example reads: Jag blundar och njuter, translated as I shut my eyes and enjoy myself. Note that the sentence is actually translated almost word by word, but the emotional intensity still differs from the original. The Swedish original is a description of that lust filled state when all that exists is the feeling of lust, and there is no need to even ask why! The English translation is slightly less intense, and seems to require an answer to the question why? To enjoy oneself is being in a pleasurable, or happy state, but not necessarily in a lust filled one. If that would be the case, this would have to be emphasized by adding a description of the emotional intensity to the word enjoy, like a further definition, using adjectives to reinforce.
The opposite of this is easy to find in the tables showing results from non-fictional texts. Many of the Swedish versions in the tables do not contain the word njuta, and
Several of the sentences in those tables have to do with things related to possessing, having, maintaing, or consuming, and to use njuta would simply overcharge the sentence emotionally.
To a Swede, like myself, the difference between the languages in emotional intensity level might be recognized instinctively, but to an English speaker, the difference can be made more apparent and clear through actual speech, listening to someone reading the sentences, because then there is the benefit of seeing the expression on the speaker's face, and the body language used to express the intensity of the situation. It is almost impossible to say the words jag njuter without emphasis, but the same cannot be said for any form of the word enjoy. These examples further prove my thesis, that the English equivalents of the Swedish word njuta carry less emotional value, and are semantically weaker.
Coming back to what I discussed in the background section, it is difficult to translate, even between closely connected languages such as Swedish and English, because there are cultural differences to take into consideration. In this case of comparing emotional intensity, another difficulty is that this has to do with emotions, something highly personal, and non-distinct to begin with. Most people would say that it is hard to describe feelings because they are not tangible, and sometimes even irrational, but also because “matters of the heart” are thought of as being in opposition to logics and reasoning. Perhaps the Anglo-Saxon distaste for extreme emotions (Dirven and Verspoor 148) stops English speaking people from talking about passionate feelings, and in a way, limits their way of thinking about them? Is it so that the English speaking society has decided that there is no need for such feelings, that it is wrong having intense emotions? I don’t think so, but the English language has, however, compared to some other European languages, slightly muted emotional discourse qualities.
6. References
Dirven, René, and Verspoor, Marjolijn. Cognitive Exploration of Language and Linguistics. Volume 1. Amsterdam/Philadelfia: John Benjamins Publishing Company, 1998
Joseph,John E., and Love, Nigel, and Taylor, Talbot J. Landmarks in Linguistic Thought II. London: Routledge, 2001
Lorentzon, Lisa. How translations expose cultural meanings. Essay. Linguistics. IMER. Malmö Högskola, 2002
Newmark, Peter. A Textbook of Translation. Hertfordshire: Prentice Hall. 1998
http://g3.spraakdata.gu.se/saob/njuta. Svenska Akademins Ordbok på nätet. © 1997-2003 Svenska Akademien och Språkdata, Göteborgs universitet, updated:2004-09- 8. Printed in 1947. 2005-03-21, 11.40.
http://www.dictionary.com. Sources: Roget's New Millennium™ Thesaurus, First Edition (v 1.1.1) Copyright © 2005 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. 2005-03-21, 11.45.
http://lexikon.nada.kth.se/cgi-bin/sve-eng. Svenskt-engelskt lexikon. The Web page is part of Skoldatanätet, supervised by Myndigheten för Skolutveckling. 2005-03-21, 11.50.
7. Appendices
7.1. Svenska Akademins Ordbok på nätet, Web-based Swedish Dictionary.
This is an excerpt from the Svenska Akademins Web-based Swedish Dictionary, where I looked up the Swedish word ”njuta” to investigate the meaning of the word in every sense of it. The Web page is http://g3.spraakdata.gu.se/saob/njuta, and the excerpt is from the 21st of March 2005, at 11.40pm.
NJUTA © 1997-2003 Svenska Akademien och Språkdata, Göteborgs universitet, uppdaterad:2004-09- 8 SPALT: [N589] [tryckt år 1947] UTTAL: njɯ3ta2, ORDKLASS: v. BÖJNING: -er, njöt UTTAL: njø4t, njöto UTTAL: njø3tω2, njutit UTTAL: njɯ3tit2, njuten UTTAL: njɯ3ten2.
AVLEDNING: vbalsbst. -ANDE; -NING (se d. o.); -ARE (se avledn.).
( inf. o. pr. ind. pl. niutta GUSTAF II ADOLF 566 (1627), AMBROSIANI DokumPprsbr. 25 (i handl. fr. c. 1675). niyt(h)a SkrGbgJub. 6: 326 (1594), Därs. 570 (1621). njuta (-iu-, -iju-, -iw-, -th-, -e) G1R 1: 2 (1521) osv. nutha RP 7: 482 (1639). nyda VgFmT II. 6-- 7: 113 (1575). nyt(h)a (-e) SvTr. 4: 6 (1521), COLUMBUS Ordesk. 21 1678; uppl. 1908). nytta (-e) G1R 1: 86 (1523), SkrGbgJub. 6: 238 (1591). nynt(h)a (-yw-, -e) G1R 1: 154 (1523), LPETRI DialMess. 87 b (1542). -- pr. ind. sg. njuter (-iu-, -iw-) OPETEI MenFall D 1 b (1526) osv. nyter LPETRI DialNattw. B 6 a (1562), BROOCMAN Hush. 2: 11 (1736). pass. njutes (-iu-)
WALLQUIST EcclSaml. 1--4: 250 (1712) osv. -- pr. konj. njute (-iu-) RARP 2: 12 (1633) osv. nut(h)e SUFinlH 4: 146 (1613), GUSTAF II ADOLF 247 (1621). -- imper. sg. njut (-iu-) TIÄLLMANN Gr. 212 (1696) osv. -- ipf. ind. sg. njöt (-iö-) HSH 10: 33 (1616) osv. nöt(h) (-öö-) 2Mack. 5: 20 (Bib. 1541); CHYDENIUS 423 (1780). nött (-dt) OPETRI 2Post. 182 b (1530), KKD 12: 404 (1710). nöött BtSödKultH 12: 78 (1597), OxBr. 12: 328 (1614) -- ipf. ind. pl. njuto (-iu-, -e) GIRS E 14 114 (c. 1630), BOTIN Hem. 2: 28 (1799). njöto (-iö-) MÖRK Ad. 1: 100 (1743) osv. nuto w-, -e) OPETRI MenFall C 8 a (1526), BOTIN SvSpr. 128 (1777). nutto (-e) CHESNECOPHERUS Skäl Tt 1 a (1607), SCHRODERUS Liv. 489 (1626). nöt(h)o (-(-e) BRAHE Oec. 33 1581; uppl. 1920), HUMBLA Landcr. 9 (1740). -- ipf. konj. njöte (-iö-) LejonkDr. 136 (1688) osv. nuthe GRUBB 890 (1665). nutte SPEGEL GW 99 (1685). nöte RARP 19: 346 (1668), BrefTalLärdVet. 1759, s. 28. -- sup. niutat STIERNMAN Com. 1: 690 (1617). njutit (-iu-, -et) G1R 25: 5 (1555: åttniutett) osv. nutit (-v-, -w-, -ed(t), -et(t), -id(t)) G1R 1: 27 (1521), BOTIN SvSpr. 122 (1777). nuttit (-ed, -et) HT 1906, s. 134 (c. 1585), SPEGEL ÖPar. 1 (1705). nytit Bt VLand 5: 11 (1564). nyutit (-yw-) G1R 1: 169 (1523), Därs. 6: 376 (1529). nöt(h)it(t) RÄÄF Ydre 1: 300 (i handl. fr. 1551), OxBr. 12: 162 (1613). -- p. pf. njuten (-iu-, -in) ARVIDI 82 (1651) osv. nu(h)tet (-it), n. GRUBB 876 (1665), RUDBECK Bref 101 (1675). nutnan HSH 9: 193 (1641))
ETYMOLOGI: [fsv. niuta, nyta; jfr sv. dial. njuta, nyta, nuta m. m., njuta, få rum, rymmas, d. nyde, få, äga, njuta, isl. nióta, äga nyttjanderätten till, åtnjuta, got. niutan, erhålla, ganiutan, fånga, fsax. niotan, åtnjuta, fht.
niozan (t. geniessen), feng. néotan, använda, njuta; samhörigt med lit. naudà, nytta; av ovisst urspr. -- Jfr BENJUTA, ERNJUTA, FARNÖTE, NYTTA, NYTTJA, NÖT, sbst.2, NÖTA, ävensom HUGENOTT,
I) I)
BETYDELSE: få l. ha (ngt) l. dra nytta av (ngt) l. få lustkänslor av (ngt). I.1)
BETYDELSE: komma l. vara i besittning av (ngt); uppnå l. få l. erhålla l. mottaga (ngt); äga l. ha l. disponera över (ngt); dra nytta av l. använda (ngt).
I.1.a)
BRUK: (numera i sht jur. o. kam.)
BETYDELSE: med avs. på (stadigvarande) förmån l. rättighet av ekonomisk l. juridisk art: få, ha, åtnjuta, dra nytta av, använda; äv.
BRUK: (numera mindre br.)
BETYDELSE: med konkret obj., särsk. betecknande jordområde, boställe o. d.: besitta, inneha, disponera över.
• G1R 1: 2 (1521).
• Så at the samma förbe:de arffwedell skola niutha och behålla till ewerdeligha ägha. RÄÄF Ydre 1: 294 (i handl. fr. 1548).
• Aff alt Godz Brokijkarne (dvs. tullbetjänterna,) beslå, .. skola the niuta en treding. SthmStadsord. 1: 58 (1637).
• Oafkortat niuta sin Löhn. HovförtärSthm 1686, s. 1509. (Hon) niute full giftorätt i bo hans. GB 3: 9 (Lag 1734).
• Rättigheten att njuta boställe härleder sig ifrån innehafvande af .. tjenst. RABENIUS Kam. § 228 (1825).
(I visst fall) njute .. (jordägarna) jordegareandelen hvar inom sitt egovälde. SFS 1884, nr 24 s. 7.
• Att en (viss) person .. skall ega njuta fjorton dagars stämningstid. KALLENBERG CivPr. 2: 329 (1928).
(Hon) får .. njuta avkastningen av den avlidnes fasta egendom under sin återstående livstid. UNT(A) 1945, nr 136 s. 4.
I.1.b)
BRUK: (†)
BETYDELSE: med personobj.: (få) begagna (ngn) (till hjälp o. d.); anlita (ngn).
• G1R 1: 102 (1523).
• Ändoch the p!att fatige äre, förmode the siig dog ath niwte wenner och frender ther till, ath the kunne komma löszn wiidh (dvs. komma i besittning av en lösen) tiil 250 marcer. Därs. 13: 117 (1540). -- särsk.
BETYDELSE: med obj. betecknande kvinna: ha könsumgänge med, åtnjuta (ngns) gunst.
• SERENIUS (1734; under injoy).
Han (har) njutit henne. HAGBERG Shaksp. 6: 56 1849; eng. orig.: he hath enjoy'd her). KULLBERG Ariosto 3: 152 (1868).
I.1.c)
BETYDELSE: med avs. på vapen: använda.
• Intet kunna wi stort motstånd giöra, om wi icke få niuta wåra huggwärjor emot Hunerna. PERINGSKIÖLD Wilk. 480 (1715).
I.1.d)
BRUK: (i sht i skriftspr.)
BETYDELSE: med obj. betecknande ngt gynnsamt l. värdefullt l. fördelaktigt (t. ex. fred, lycka, glädje, hälsa, vila o. d.): vara delaktig av, åtnjuta, äga, ha.
• Man niuther intet länger fredh, än ens Granne wil. GRUBB 504 (1665).
• Min hemliga oro förtog mig sömnen, så at jag ej njöt någon hvila förrän mot morgonen. ULLMAN Frök. 32 (1780).
• Drottning Sofia Magdalena hade under hela sin lefnad njutit en god helsa. ROSENSTEIN 2: 77 (1813). Han fick .. njuta ett .. oafbrutet umgänge med den snillrika .. krets af konstnärer, som (osv.). ATTERBOM Minnest. 2: 350 (1824).
• Att njuta en lycklig ålderdom. 2SAH 30: 243 (1857).
• Jag .. bjöds att njuta hemmets trevnad. HALLSTRÖM Händ. 10 (1927).
• Ända fram till 1853 .. njöt Nippon ett nästan obrutet lugn. SvD(B) 1946, nr 56, s. 7. -- särsk.
I.1.d.α)
BETYDELSE: i sådana uttr. som njuta frukten av sitt arbete o. d., komma i åtnjutande av lönen för sitt arbete. • Niuta fruchten vtaf sitt .. arbete. SWEDBERG Amer. 82 (1732).
• Må hon få njuta sina gärningars frukt. Ordspr. 31: 31 ( Bib. 1917). I.1.d.β)
BETYDELSE: i uttr. njuta kyrkogården, (få) ha gravplats på kyrkogården. • KyrkohÅ 1915, s. 358 (1620).
• RUDBECKIUS Kyrkiost. 23 (c. 1635).
• Så frampt hon will niuta kyrkiogården, när hon döör. VDAkt. 1670, VisitProt. s. 157. I.1.e)
BETYDELSE: med avs. på behandling, bemötande, vård, skötsel o. d.: åtnjuta; förunnas; erhålla, få; röna; bli föremål för; äv., med obj.
betecknande aktning, vördnad, ära o. d.: äga, kunna glädja sig åt; stundom äv. i uttr. njuta aktning osv. av ngn; numera bl.
BETYDELSE: i fråga om sådan behandling osv. som innebär en fördel l. förmån. • Swa frampt i vele nyte vor gönst oc nade. G1R 1: 110 (1523).
• Den begrafningh, som oächta barn niuta pläga. VDP 1665, s. 648.
• Gör rätt åt alla; och du skall njuta den af ingen. KELLGREN 3: 204 (1792).
Att Pufendorf i denna strid njöt skydd af den svenska styrelsen. WEIBULL (o. TEGNÉR) LUH 1: 54 (1868). • På sin gård han njöt respekt. SCHÖNBERG Vis. 4: 78 (1900).
• Han (hade) verkligen njutit pigans gunst där hemma. MOBERG Rosell 166 (1932). I.1.f)
BETYDELSE: med avs. på ngt ogynnsamt: drabbas av, råka ut för, bli utsatt för. • Then olag (dvs. olaglighet) driffuer han olag niuter. SvOrds. C 5 a (1604). • När wij .. någon skada niute. BULLERNÆSIUS Lögn. 334 (1619).
• Att niuta sit wederbörlige och lag lijkmätige straff. SthmStadsord. 1: 198 (1670).
• BROWALLIUS Holbg 85 (1744).
I.1.g)
BETYDELSE: med efterföljande inf.: få.
• Åm jag dät niöte skåda. LejonkDr. 136 (1688). I.1.h)
#med efterföljande att-sats: få l. uppnå den fördelen (att osv.).
• SKOGEKÄR BÄRGBO Wen. 32 (c. 1635).
I.1.i)
BETYDELSE: med saksubj. (jfr m): få, erhålla.
• Såsom en Lampa sin Eld förkofrar och lyser i mörkre, / Alt medan hon sin spädsl och näring niuter af Olio; / Så (osv). STIERNHIELM Herc. 484 (1658, 1668)
BETYDELSE: i uttr. ngt njuter sin effekt l. fullbordan, ngt når sin fullbordan, ngt fullbordas.
• RP 8: 155 (1640).
• Om ächtenskapet icke niuter sin fulbordhan. VDAkt. 1694, nr 868. I.1.j)
ETYMOLOGI: [jfr fsv. thz nöth hon (dvs. det fick hon tack vare) sina ödhmyukt oc wisdom]
BETYDELSE: i uttr. njuta ngn ngt, få ngt av l. tack vare ngn.
• (Våra arvingar) scola nyuta oss got allt oc icke ont. G1R 1: 267 (1524). I.1.k)
BETYDELSE: övergående i bet.: få räkna sig (ngt) till godo.
• OPETRI PEli æ g 3 a (1527).
• Salugh är then ofructsama som obesmittat är, .. hon warder thet nyutandes på then tijdhen tå man sielana döma skal. SvlWijsh. 3: 13 (öv. 1536).
I.1.l)
BETYDELSE: övergående i bet.: bedriva.
• Oskick, som månge .. emoot Lagen .. niutat och brukat hafwe. STIERNMAN Com. 1: 690 (1617). I.1.m)
BETYDELSE: i allmännare anv., om landområde: ha (ett så l. så beskaffat klimat o. d.).
• Österdalarna .. njuta, ehuru nordligare än Westerdalarna, en mildare luft än de. ( FORSSELL o.) GRAFSTRÖM 10 (1827).
• Dälderna (i östra Grekland) .. njuta ett klimat som icke är blidare än södra Tysklands. PALMBLAD LbGeogr. 174 (1835).
I.2)
ETYMOLOGI: [specialanv. av 1]
BETYDELSE: i förb. med uttr. till godo l. till ondo l. (se d) till allt ont. I.2.a)
BETYDELSE: i uttr. njuta ngn till godo, anlita ngn; jfr 1 b.
• Att han åter .. (en viss) bonde till godo niuta måtte. BraheBrevväxl. II. 1: 72 (1655). I.2.b)
BETYDELSE: i uttr. njuta ngt till godo l. ondo, ha fördel l. nytta l. glädje l. hjälp resp. nackdel l. besvär l. tråkigheter l. omak av ngt.
• G1R 1: 192 (1524: til onde).
At .. (han) icke .. hafver nutit thetta gifftermålet myckit till godho. LPETRI Kr. 31 (1559).
• Må M(in) B(roder) .. (honom) denne min vitnesbördh heller till gode änn onde niuthe lathe. OxBr. 5: 10 (1612).
• Så niuta föräldrar sina barns gudzfruchtan och dygd til godo. SWEDBERG SabbRo 426 (1688, 1710) • ObjGästen 1829, nr 14, s. 2.
-- särsk.
BETYDELSE: i uttr. njuta ngt till godo, med obj. betecknande (brev o. d. innehållande) löfte o. d.: komma i åtnjutande av de fördelar som avses i ngt.
• Lather Honum niwthe thette mith breff tiil gode. G1R 1: 2 (1521).
• (De) klagede att de eij hafue nutidt K. M:ttz nådige breff och ordning till godo. NoraskogArk. 5: 142 (1624).
I.2.c)
ETYMOLOGI: [jfr fsv. niuta them at godho, åtnjuta gott av dem]
BETYDELSE: i uttr. njuta ngn (ngt) till godo l. till ondo l. onda, ha ngn att tacka för (ngt) resp. lida ont för ngns skull, få umgälla (ngt) för ngns skull.
• Jak fructade jak skulle niwthe min fadher mykit tiil onda. G1R 6: 377 (1529).
• The äro monge (undersåtar) som niwta them (dvs. konungarna) mykit til godhe. OPETRI Kr. 62 (c. 1540).
• Mången fattigh niuter en otacksam Menniskia til onda. GRUBB 656 (1665). • Han njuter thet sin fader til godo. LIND (1749).
I.2.d)
BETYDELSE: i uttr. njuta ngt till allt ont, få (bara) obehag av ngt.
• OPETRI Kr. 237 (c. 1540).
I.3)
BETYDELSE: få behålla (ngn l. ngt).
• SvTr. 4: 6 (1521).
• Kommer du en gångh in j Wermelanndh, om din halls wåre så tiock som enn bremthynna (dvs. bremisk
öltunna), då skulle du jchie niytha honnom. SkrGbgJub. 6: 326 (1594).
• Så skulle the niuta ägorne sin / Och bruka them sigh till godhe. HUND E 14 100 (1605). • Förfrågades .. om .. (dråparen) kan niuta liffvett. RP 8: 57 (1640).
• Ty wij bedia; / Gud tilstädia / Längre niuta få wår Far. RUNIUS (SVS) 2: 156 (c. 1700); jfr 5 a. MURBERG FörlSAOB (1793).
I.4)
BRUK: (numera bl. mera tillf., ngt ålderdomligt)
BETYDELSE: med avs. på mat l. dryck: få, få till livs; förtära; intaga.
• FORSIUS Fosz 477 (1621).
• Dhen ena skiuther, den andra niuther. (Dvs.) Dhen ena jagar, dhen andra äther steeken. GRUBB 127 (1665).
Prins Carls Hund .. skall niuta dageligen .. 5 m(arker) oxkiöt. HovförtärSthm 1695 A, s. 566. • Emedan min mage på en lång tid ingen varm spis niutit. HUMBLA Landcr. 194 (1740). • Den sjuke kan icke mer njuta något. MÖLLER (1790).
• Vi njöto .. förfriskningar af flere slag. ALMQVIST Parj. 29 (1817).
• Den, som inte vill kålen supa, bör inte köttet njuta. GRANLUND Ordspr. (c. 1880).
#Hvad kan jag bjuda kusin? -- Tackar, jag njuter intet på förmiddagen. ELKAN Hall 442 (1899).
• ÖSTERGREN (1933).
I.5)
BETYDELSE: erfara känslor av lust vid upplevandet l. förnimmandet av (ngt); uppleva l. förnimma (ngt) med känslor av lust; dels (numera i sht i vitter stil) i uttr. njuta ngt, dels i uttr. njuta av ngt; av. abs.; ngn gg med innehållsobj.
• KELLGREN (SVS) 1: 259 (1777).
• Jag .. njöt naturen, hvilan och läsningen. MoB 2: 210 (1801).
• Jag .. njöt riktigt af den oändligt vackra aftonen. GEIJER Brev 286 (1836). • Njuta af tillvaron. STRINDBERG TrOtr. 2: 58 (1890).
• Själf njöt jag formliga lustkval vid läsningen af "En giftblanderskas kärleksäfventyr". TurÅ 1910, s. 252.
(Jag) höll honom för en narr. Jag njöt. BERGMAN Patr. 78 (1928). -- särsk.
I.5.a)
• Kom .. några dar .. (tidigare), att jag får njuta dig litet. MoB 6: 86 (1784).
• JOHANSSON HomIl. 1: 410 (1846).
I.5.b)
BETYDELSE: refl.; eg. (jfr a): glädjas åt (ensamheten med) sig själv; ostört hänge sig åt sig själv l. sina intressen o. d.
• På gräsets bädd jag skulle hänryckt falla, / Och där i stillhet njuta mig. ÄLF Skald. 91 (c. 1785).
• STAGNELIUS (SVS) 3: 69 (1817).
• (Han) lemnade .. det offentliga lifvets tummelplats, för att njuta sig sjelf i vettenskapernas sköte. 2SAH 19: 85 (1837).
I.5.c)
BRUK: (mera tillf.)
BETYDELSE: i uttr. ha njutit sig mätt på ngt, ha njutit av ngt så mycket att man icke längre sätter varde på det.
• BLANCHE Jernbär. 33 (1847).
• En .. man, .. som redan (vid några och trettio års ålder) nästan njutit sig mätt på lifvet. DENS. Bild 1: 148 (1863).
I.5.d)
BRUK: (i sht i vitter stil)
BETYDELSE: i uttr. njuta livet l. sitt liv, ha glädje av livet, glädjas åt livet; äv.: leva ett liv uppfyllt av nöjen. • Ack! kan jag lifvet längre njuta, / Då jag ej mer får älska dig? ENVALLSSON Slått. 37 (1787). • WALLIN Rel. 1: 43 (1813, 1825: ditt .. lif). Vällustingen .. vill njuta lifvet. DENS. 1Pred. 2: 330 (c.
1830).
• Österlänningen, som njuter livet, latar sig i solskenet och struntar i att fråga och forska. SJÖBERG Lb. 475 (1910).
• Pred. 9: 9 ( Bib. 1917). II) II
ETYMOLOGI: [jfr motsv. anv. i sv. dial.]
#få rum (i ngt), rymmas; äv. i uttr. njuta in i ngt; äv. övergående i bet.: finnas. • Wij äghe thz mästa i hwsen nyter. RONDELETIUS 10 (1614).
• (För förvaring av biföda på våren) skal man giöra sigh små Hoar, så långa som kunna niuta in i
(bi-)Stocken. IERICI Colerus 2: 94 (c. 1645).
• TRIEWALD Konst. 20 (1734).
• BROOCMAN Hush. 2: 11 (1736).
SÄRSKILDA FÖRBINDELSER: Särsk. förb. (†) NJUTA ÅT
.
ETYMOLOGI: [fsv. niuta at, åtnjuta, ha gott av, få hjälp av, ha (ngn) att tacka för (ngt)]
BETYDELSE: till I 1; jfr åtnjuta. 1)
#komma i åtnjutande av (ngt), (få) åtnjuta. Att mången ogudachtigh niuter en Gudfruchtigz lycka och wählsignelse åt. RUDBECKIUS KonReg. 240 (1615).
• BRENNER Dikt. 2: 14 (1730).
att tacka för ngt; lida (skada) för ngns skull; i sht i uttr. njuta ngn (l. ngt) gott l. ont åt, få gott l. fördel av l. tack vare ngn (l. ngt), lida ont för ngns (l. ngts) skull; äv. i uttr. njuta ngn ngt åt till godo, ha ngn att tacka för ngt. The .. schula niwtha oss goth aath och icke ondt. G1R 2: 52 (1525).
• (Helgonen) niwta thet gudh ååt ath the warda hedrat och icke sich sielff. OPETRI PEli æ b 1 b (1527).
#DENS. 2Post. 106 b (1530: til godho).
• At the Christne skola .. niuta theras lärdom ondt åt. LPETRI 3Post. 149 a (1555).
• BtFinlH 2: 340 (1670).
1.b)
BETYDELSE: pregnant. •
1.b.α)
BETYDELSE: åtnjuta gott av (ngn), få hjälp av (ngn).
• Doch .. nywta och creaturen (dvs. de skapade varelserna) sin scapare ååt. OPETRI MenFall I 8 a (1526). 1.b.β)
BETYDELSE: (få) lida för (ngns) skull.
• Att then oskyllige niuter then skyllige ååt. G1R 14: 70 (1542).
BETYDELSE: jfr (med prep.): Deth will iagh edher för sanningh sega, / ått megh så niuter Han deth (dvs.
att sitta fängslad). Visb. 1: 459 (c. 1621).
2)
BETYDELSE: bli delaktig av (ngt) l. av (ngts) fördelar.
• Men är .. (en havande kvinna) laghligha trolofwat, tå må hon niutha så mykit echtenskapet åth, at hon ..
(kyrktages) såsom een echta qwinna. RUDBECKIUS Kyrkiost. 11 (c. 1635). 3)
BETYDELSE: i uttr. njuta ngt åt till godo, få räkna sig ngt till godo. Komma til Christum och warda niwtandes hans pino och dödh och andra hans gerningar ååt til godho.
• OPETRI MenFall E 4 a (1526).
NJUTA ÅTER .
BETYDELSE: till I 1: få (ngt) åter, återfå (ngt). MB 41: 1 (Lag 1734).
• PH 5: 3413 (1752).
AVLEDNINGAR: Avledn. NJUTARE,
GENUS: m.||ig.
#
BRUK: (numera bl. tillf.)
BETYDELSE: till I 5: person som njuter (av ngt), person som blott vill njuta. CAEHRENSVÄRD Brev 2: 312 (1799).
• Mannen med den omätliga härsklystnaden .. är ingen epikuré, glad eller sorgsen, ingen njutare. LEVERTIN 11: 209 (1906). SvNat. 1931, s. 11. jfr livs-njutare. NJUTBAR, ORDKLASS: adj. 1)