German Suffix -chen

The German suffix -chen is a diminutive. It can be added to many nouns. In many cases the noun has an umlaut when the suffix is added. The gender of nouns with the diminutive suffix is always neuter. Here are examples:

der Baum (the tree) das Bäumchen (the little tree)
das Brot (the bread) das Brötchen (the bread roll)
das Haus (the house) das Häuschen (the little house)
der Hund (the dog) das Hündchen (the little dog)
die Maus (the mouse) das Mäuschen (the little mouse)
das Schiff (the ship) das Schiffchen (the little ship)
die Tasse (the cup) die Tässchen (the little cup)
das Tier (the animal) das Tierchen (the little animal)
der Tisch (the table) das Tischchen (the little table)
das Wort (the word) das Wörtchen (the little word)

As the examples show, the diminutive suffix -chen is very productive in German.  Many suffixed nouns are modified with an umlaut. The diminutive is invariable in singular and plural. Schiffchen means both little ship and little ships.

Accusative and Partitive Cases of Finnish

The Finnish language uses the accusative and partitive cases extensively. The partitive case can be used to express that an action has not been completed. Here are examples with accusative and partitive:

Talo on iso. (The house is big)
Maalaan taloa. (I'm painting the house)
Maalaan talon. (I'll paint the house)

The word house is talo in nominative case. In partitive it is taloa and in accusative it is talon. The second sentence is expressed with partitive case because the action is incomplete and the third is in accusative because it expresses an action that will be completed in the future.

In certain cases, the verb always takes accusative or partitive. Here are examples:

Minä muistan sinut. (I remember you)
Minä rakastan sinua. (I love you)

The verb remember requires accusative, but the verb love requires partitive. In Finnish the pronoun you is sometimes partitive. The second sentence exemplifies this.

In Finnish the partitive and accusative cases are both common. Partitive can be used to express that an action is in progress. Certain verbs always require accusative and others always require partitive.

Pork with Prunes

Pork with prunes is a tasty French dish. It is an easy dish to prepare. Here is the recipe:

1 kilo pork
20 prunes
2/3 cup white wine
1 cup chicken stock
2 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup cream
1/2 teaspoon thyme
bay leaf
2 onions, peeled and chopped

Place the prunes in a small saucepan and cover with water.
Heat to boiling, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
Drain and reserve.
Place 2 tablespoons of oil and 1 tablespoon of butter into a pan and heat.
Add the meat and cook until brown on both sides.
Remove and place on a plate.
Add 1 tablespoon of butter, melt, and add the chopped onions.
Cook until the onions are soft but not yet browned.
Add the wine, bring to a boil and simmer for 2 minutes.
Add the thyme, bay leaf and stock.
Return to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
Add the prunes, meat and cream to the sauce and simmer lightly for 8 minutes.
Serve!

Euphemisms

Euphemisms are polite and indirect expressions that substitute ones that can be considered harsh. They are often used when talking about difficult matters such as death. Here is a list of euphemisms:

between jobs (unemployed)
correctional facility (jail)
enhanced interrogation (torture)
ethnic cleansing (genocide)
fertilizer (manure)
neutralize (kill)
put to sleep (euthanize)
slow (unintelligent)
special child (disabled)
the departed (the dead)

Euphemisms are common in conversation. They are often used to describe subjects which many consider unpleasant. However, sometimes euphemisms are used to mislead and deceive.

Mate in 10

In a game of speed chess, I mated my opponent in 10 moves. My opponent was Pawnchump of the USA, who played white. Here are the moves of the game along with my commentary:

1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 d5
3. Nc3 a6
4. Nf3 c5

My move is premature. I should play e6 first to protect my e-pawn.

5. dxc e6
6. b4 Nc6
7. b5 axb
8. cxb Nb4

White plays aggressively.

9. Na4 Qa5
10.Nb6 Nc2#

I ignore the attack on my knight because I have mate. White makes a crucial mistake. He needs to play Nc3.

White plays aggressively but loses in 10 moves. My final move is a double check. White's failure to protect his king results in a quick mate.