







This might not be the typical expat blog, written by a German expat, living in the Philippines since 1999. It's different. In English and in German. Check it out! Enjoy reading! Dies mag' nun wirklich nicht der typische Auswandererblog eines Deutschen auf den Philippinen sein. Er soll etwas anders sein. In Englisch und in Deutsch! Viel Spass beim Lesen!
Mutual intelligibility is evidence of overlap, not of belonging to a dialect continuum.
That's defined by phonology, and Yiddish has never been part of the German continuum.
This a just a case of two languages being closely related.
If the two parents of a tongue are lexis and phono, Yiddish and German are similar appearing half sisters that share the lexis one but not the phonology one
IEsoecially because if we speak Yiddish to a German as we would to each other, the German wouldn’t be able to follow, no matter how extensive his mastery of German dialects may be.
Many sentences of the type “A herring iz a fish” that would be easy for a German to figure out wouldn’t be that much harder for a Dutch or English speaker. Thanks to the definite articles in Yiddish looking like the German ones, ‘der’, ‘di’, ‘dos’ and ‘dem’, and the indefinite article looking like the English ones, ‘a’ and ‘an’, one can construct large numbers of sentences that are easily intelligible in German or English. For a German-English bilingual, the number is huge. However, in real life, one is unlikely to get several of these in a row, so following a conversation is out of the question for a German without specific knowledge. The very fact that a bilingual is advantaged points to something other than dialect divergence defining the difference. In fact, also knowing Aramaic, Hebrew, French or Russian would all help a German decipher Yiddish.
The ancestors of Yiddish speakers came to Europe as Aramaic speakers with a Hebraicized Aramaic who picked up a Romance vernacular based on old French in Champagne and Burgundy. That tongue was heavily Germanized without the loss of the Hebrew, Aramaic and Latin elements, so it began more as a fusion of existing Jewish speech with Middle High German than an actual dialect of German, and was normally written in the Aramaic square script, which also served to keep it apart from the German sprachbund.
The German elements are a mix of Rhineland, Alpine and Bavarian forms, and don’t cohere to any particular German dialect. Since the Germanizing occurred, the distance between Yiddish and any form of German has only been increasing; with the continued influx of Hebrew, Latin elements mostly from Italian and French, a variable amount of Slavicizing having occurred especially in the northern and eastern forms and considerable penetration of Anglo lexis since the 1880s.
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Reference No. PR-251182-005
National ID Registration Goes Home to Maragusan’s Senior Citizens
03 June 2025
The activity was carried out in coordination with the Local Government Unit (LGU)
of Maragusan through the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office
(MSWDO) to assist senior citizens in preparing documentary requirements for
government aid and services. While the National ID is still optional until June 2025,
it will be a mandatory requirement starting September 2025, as the National
Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) takes over the distribution of financial
assistance.
The National ID registration team visited elderly clients in their homes across
Barangay Poblacion and Barangay Tigbao, reaching bedridden and vulnerable
individuals in Purok Ilang-Ilang, Buyo, Narra-A, Caimeto, Aguacan-A, Bulahan,
Dahlia, Anthurium, and Secret Love.
You could see the joy and gratitude on the faces of the lolos and lolas as they
completed their National ID registration. Many of them had long awaited this
opportunity but were physically unable to travel to the registration center. With this
outreach, they now look forward to receiving the printed digital copy of their
National ID, which they can already use for official transactions.
Through this initiative, PSA Davao de Oro continues to ensure that no one is left
behind in the National Identification System — especially those who need it the
most.
Concerned families or barangay officials with similar cases are encouraged to
reach out to PSA Davao de Oro for possible arrangements of special registration.
For more information on the National ID Registration, please contact the National
Identification System Section with telephone numbers (084) 817-0347 and email
address davaodeoro@psa.gov.ph.
ABRAHAM ENRICO E. GULAY, JR.
Chief Statistical Specialist
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President Marcos has signed the Philippine Agriculturists Act that regulates the agriculture profession in the country. Republic Act No. 12215 orders the creation of the Professional Regulatory Board of Agriculture, in recognition of the importance of registered agriculturists in nation-building and development. Read more | |
Meanwhile, President Marcos has signed Proclamation No. 916 on May 29, declaring the third week of May as “Open Government Week” in line with the observance of International Open Government Week which seeks to promote transparent, participatory, inclusive, and accountable governance. Read more |
By Philippine News Agency
Published Jun 2, 2025 04:19 pm
DAVAO CITY – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Davao (BFAR-11) announced on Monday the start of this year’s three-month closed fishing season at the Davao Gulf, from June 1 to August 31.
In a press briefing, Elaine Vera Belvis, BFAR-11 Fisheries Management and Regulatory Enforcement Division chief, said the fishing ban is crucial for protecting small pelagic fish species and ensuring their recovery and reproduction in the region's waters.
“During this season, we specifically protect key fish species such as big-eyed scad (matang baka), mackerel (alumahan), and round scad (galunggong),” Belvis explained. “According to a study, the fish catch trend is either increasing or has shown positive results following the consistent implementation of this closed season.”
As the program enters its 12th year, the use of ring nets and bag nets (basligan) – the two main fishing gears, regardless of tonnage, or modified gears with similar operations – is strictly prohibited.
The fishing ban is enforced in accordance with the Department of Agriculture-Department of the Interior and Local Government (DA-DILG) joint administrative order for the conservation of small fishes in Davao Gulf and the country’s existing fisheries code.
The Davao Gulf, which extends from Cape San Agustin in Gov. Generoso, Davao Oriental, to Talagotong Point in Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental, is recognized as a vital spawning ground for various small pelagic species.
Violations of the ban will incur severe penalties, including fines ranging from P20,000 to P500,000, imprisonment, confiscation of catches and fishing equipment, and revocation of fishing licenses.
Mount Apo annual rehab starts
The majestic Mount Apo, the highest peak in the Philippines, will temporarily close its trails to trekkers from June to August for its annual rehabilitation and preservation, the Digos City Tourism Office (DCTO) said.
In an online post, the DCTO said the annual closure coincides with the mating season of Mount Apo's diverse fauna, allowing the mountain to rejuvenate and recover naturally.
“This crucial conservation effort ensures the protection of its rich biodiversity and delicate ecosystem, helping preserve the natural wonders of Mount Apo for generations to come,” it said.
The DCTO assured trekkers that Mount Apo, standing at 9,692 feet above sea level, will reopen its doors to adventurers in September.
Meanwhile, the office highlighted a recent achievement involving a senior citizen who successfully reached the summit of Mount Apo on May 20.
Leticia Sobebe, 70, from Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental, demonstrated that age is no barrier to achieving ambitious goals.
“With firm determination and remarkable strength, Nanay Leticia completed the challenging climb, inspiring adventurers of all ages to keep chasing their dreams,” the DCTO said. (PNA)