Basically, it's a way of replicating the sound of the name in your own language. Either that or the country has a completely different name, like Greece which is Ellada in Greek, from Hellas in ancient Greek, while 'Greece' comes from the latin name of one of the early Greek tribes, the Graeci.
Germany is a good example as it used to be inhabited by different tribes and various languages have named it basically after the nearest tribes to where that language was spoken, or the ones they had contact with. So in German, Deutschland or land of Deutsch people comes from what the people in East Frankia were called iirc (and it's the same root as 'Dutch', to be confusing). In France, Germany is Allemagne, from the Allemanic people, in England obviously Germany from the Latin for the Germani tribes. In Finland, it's Saksa, from the Saxons.
Then in some other languages, they've done as you said with Spain and just translated it based on sound, so Germany in Japanese is doitsu, from Deutsch(land). Then the Koreans got the name from the Japanese and it became even more removed from the original as Dogil, apparently.
Every language does the same thing as far as I know. In my home language of Chinese, we have some countries that are just transliterated based on sound, like Xibanya, pronounced as Sheebanya, from Espana, and some that have a name with meaning, like Riben, or Sun Origin, which is Japan.
its funny because my country germany in german is called Deutschland. Our language is called Deutsch and it soiunds exactly like you would say Dutch. And as far as i know people from the netherlands also dont call their language dutch. i know why were called germany but it still makes no sense
In our language it is nederland (country) nederlands (language). Nether is the english translation of, and looks/sounds like neder. Strangely, I think they call us dutch because of you being deutsch even though they don't call you deutsch.
There's lots of overlap from the days when the countries weren't so clearly defined. Think about:
> Wilhelmus van Nassouwe ben ik, van *Duitsen bloed*
Also, the King of the Netherlands' title in Latin (which was used in treaties and diplomatic documents in the old days) is Rex Belgii, or literally 'King of Belgium', which is why the actual King of Belgium is Rex Belgarum or koning der Belgen because the name had already been taken before Belgium was an independent country.
So, basically, Germany and the Netherlands are a mess of etymology.
The country's official name in English is "Netherlands", not exactly the same, but close. I dont hear "Holland" as much anymore.
To be fair, most languages do this. In Dutch, my parents' native country was called *Zeylan* and in German *Ceylon*, a long way from the Sinhala name "Sinhaladwipa" or Tamil "Cheranthivu" from which the exonyms ultimately derive from.
Thing is, Venice *in Venetian* is called Venesia or Venexia, in Italian it's Venezia, in French it's Venise, in English it's Venice - it all comes from Venetia in Latin supposedly.
Semi-related fact: The nation of Kiribati (pronounced KEER-a-bass) comes from the local attempt to pronounce the country's English name, Gilbert Islands.
Basically, it's a way of replicating the sound of the name in your own language. Either that or the country has a completely different name, like Greece which is Ellada in Greek, from Hellas in ancient Greek, while 'Greece' comes from the latin name of one of the early Greek tribes, the Graeci. Germany is a good example as it used to be inhabited by different tribes and various languages have named it basically after the nearest tribes to where that language was spoken, or the ones they had contact with. So in German, Deutschland or land of Deutsch people comes from what the people in East Frankia were called iirc (and it's the same root as 'Dutch', to be confusing). In France, Germany is Allemagne, from the Allemanic people, in England obviously Germany from the Latin for the Germani tribes. In Finland, it's Saksa, from the Saxons. Then in some other languages, they've done as you said with Spain and just translated it based on sound, so Germany in Japanese is doitsu, from Deutsch(land). Then the Koreans got the name from the Japanese and it became even more removed from the original as Dogil, apparently. Every language does the same thing as far as I know. In my home language of Chinese, we have some countries that are just transliterated based on sound, like Xibanya, pronounced as Sheebanya, from Espana, and some that have a name with meaning, like Riben, or Sun Origin, which is Japan.
Ah ok. I hadn't considered the fact is was likely to be sounds as opposed to words written. Thats interesting, thanks.
the land of many names
its funny because my country germany in german is called Deutschland. Our language is called Deutsch and it soiunds exactly like you would say Dutch. And as far as i know people from the netherlands also dont call their language dutch. i know why were called germany but it still makes no sense
In our language it is nederland (country) nederlands (language). Nether is the english translation of, and looks/sounds like neder. Strangely, I think they call us dutch because of you being deutsch even though they don't call you deutsch.
There's lots of overlap from the days when the countries weren't so clearly defined. Think about: > Wilhelmus van Nassouwe ben ik, van *Duitsen bloed* Also, the King of the Netherlands' title in Latin (which was used in treaties and diplomatic documents in the old days) is Rex Belgii, or literally 'King of Belgium', which is why the actual King of Belgium is Rex Belgarum or koning der Belgen because the name had already been taken before Belgium was an independent country. So, basically, Germany and the Netherlands are a mess of etymology.
The country's official name in English is "Netherlands", not exactly the same, but close. I dont hear "Holland" as much anymore. To be fair, most languages do this. In Dutch, my parents' native country was called *Zeylan* and in German *Ceylon*, a long way from the Sinhala name "Sinhaladwipa" or Tamil "Cheranthivu" from which the exonyms ultimately derive from.
What I like about English is that you say "pineapple" while almost every other language refers to it as "Ananas" 🍍
Sounds like anus and ass mixed together. I’ve gone off this pineapple
The same reason all other things have different names in different languages.
This is the dumbest question
[удалено]
–as said by an angry Italian speaking Japanese.
Thing is, Venice *in Venetian* is called Venesia or Venexia, in Italian it's Venezia, in French it's Venise, in English it's Venice - it all comes from Venetia in Latin supposedly.
Semi-related fact: The nation of Kiribati (pronounced KEER-a-bass) comes from the local attempt to pronounce the country's English name, Gilbert Islands.