Could someone translate this please.

[Reece]

I have had this letter for sometime and dates back to 1909 (post mark), The first part I assume German but the second half of the letter seems to be in another language.:hmmm: Since I don't know what either says I would really appreciate it if someone could translate it, both or part.:yep:
Many thanks,
Reece.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h244/Reecehk/HermannsburgerMissionfestBack.jpg

[Rockstar]

I think the first part has to do with someone claiming to be an out of work gypsy circus performer wanting to smuggle Llamas out of the country. He hints his desire to find someone that can supply false documents and disguises for the Llamas.

Not sure what the second half is, that's a tough one.

[Reece]

That is weird!!:88):hmmm:

[nikimcbee]

I'll translates:

Dear snoogums (Reece?),

Great news, I found out the medical tests were negative, but I still have a rash. The priest said he had no problems with "your condition", but you may want to pay him some extra money for the marrage endorsement, as the church usually dosn't approve of such actions. My parents are still pretty upset, but as long as you pay child support, my father won't kill you. All the best.

Your luv wallaby.:know:

[ETR3(SS)]

The second language looks like Greek. That's about all I can help there.

[Schroeder]

The first handwriting is called Sütterlin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%BCtterlin). I doubt you will find a lot of people who can still read it. I surely can't.:-?
The second looks Greek indeed.

[Reece]

Very interesting though the following quote from the wiki:
Sütterlin was commissioned to create a modern handwriting script by the Prussian (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prussia) ministry for culture in 1911 and his handwriting scheme gradually replaced the older cursive scripts.It would seem then since this post card was written in 1909 it is more likely:
the old German cursive script developed in the 16th century, correct me if I'm wrong!:hmmm:
Rockstar's interpretation seems odd as if this were so why would it be on a postcard for all to see, and why is the second part in Greek??:06: Mysterious!:yep:

[Penguin]

Sorry mate, can't help you either much, as I went to school after 1945...
The first part is definitely german, most likely kurrent handwriting: http://www.kurrent.de/_html/schreibschrift.htm
I can only decipher single words, the letter starts with "Es drängt mich Hr (Herr) z (zu) D...", basically Mr . D... urges the writer to do something.
The second part is (old?) greek, definitely no german.
Maybe you have luck at the axishistory form, there are some people who may be able to read it. Another forum in german is forum-der-wehrmacht.de, you may post there under "bilder und photos", though the board is more about history of ww2, but they are a friendly bunch of guys and many speak english there.

[Schroeder]

It would seem then since this post card was written in 1909...

Ah, sorry for the false lead then. As I can't read/write either of them they look the same to me.:oops:

[GoldenRivet]

It is in fact German and Greek:

The first half "German" probably says something like

"Hey,

I found this old post card, it belonged to a family member who has long ago passed away. The post card is very very old and brittle. Rather than risk it's destruction by sending it to you, i was wondering if you could translate it for me as i cannot understand what it says and i am quite curious. The post card reads:"

then the Greek part starts, which ironically says:

"Hey,

I found an old letter, it belonged to my grandfather who has died many years ago. I have enclosed the letter in this envelope in the hopes that you could translate it for me. Thank you for your prompt attention on this matter."

and thus begins a long chain of mystery

LOL







:88) Ok i'll leave now

[Herr-Berbunch]

Don't you just love the subsim community, for the definative answers to all your questions!

Or just to take the piss :yep:

[GoldenRivet]

it drives me crazy not knowing what this thing says quite honestly.

the fact that it is written in 2 different languages might suggest that the two different parts of the message were intended for the eyes of two different people. ;)

[Reece]

Is that what it says GR, well there ya go!!:yep: Thanks, I think!:hmmm:

[GoldenRivet]

Is that what it says GR

LOL no just being a pain.

I hope you find the answer, as i am quite curious.:salute:

[Diopos]

On the second part:
The letters are mostly Greek with some latin added. It has no meaning whatsoever in Greek. It reads/sounds as a "phonetic" representation of a Germanic (???) text ...

Interesting, indeed!

.

[DarkFish]

The first part, damn, I thought *my* handwriting was bad. I can't be of much help here.

The second part is a mix of Greek characters and characters from an alphabet I don't know, but German words. Because these letters are actually readable I'll translate it for you:

Transcription into German (Caps Lock means unknown word):
BLASBAG, OHENSOLMS; Er da schon IE ein innerer Kollege aus dem Rheinland in Ansicht genommen sei, was dich wohl interessiert. Sicherer wird wohl noch nicht bestimmt sein, zumal bringers versetzung IA nog nicht definitiv ansgesprochen ist.

Translation (my German isn't great so probably will be little better than an online translation):
BLASBAG, OHENSOLMS; He there already IE a close colleague from the Rheinland was taken into view, something that probably interests you.
It probably will not yet be more certain, since the relocation of the bringer IA isn't definitively addressed yet.

Maybe one of the German members can provide a better translation?

[Penguin]

Your translation is fine, DF! :up:
I only think Bringer is the name the guy who should be relocated, not a bringer.
Oh yes, the card is adressed to a (protestant) priest (Pfarrer).

Cmon Reece, now you gotta show us the picture side of the card! I bet there are sparely clothed gals on it, who would be only 131 today.

[Skybird]

The card is written in old German ("Altdeutsch") handwriting, which is no longer used today and is not taught at school anymore; and in Greek. So, the handwriting is not "bad", as Darkfish suggested, but it is a completely different handwriting font that is no longer used today and is not known by many anymore. I could read it a bit in my school days, but I do not recall it anymore.

http://reh.math.uni-duesseldorf.de/~koehler/DeutscheSchrift.gif

[DarkFish]

So, the handwriting is not "bad", as Darkfish suggested, but it is a completely different handwriting font that is no longer used today and is not known by many anymore.Doesn't make it any more readable:lol:

[VipertheSniper]

I had some help from my mother with this, as I can read a bit, but she's much better with that stuff, we still couldn't decipher everything tho... maybe you've got some ideas on the missing words... since the Greek stuff seems to be some kind of code, we focused on the German part.

OK first in German:

"Es drängt mich dir und deiner lieben Frau noch einmal zu danken, dass ihr mit solcher Anstrengung hierher gekommen seid. Hoffentlich ist der lange Marsch euch beiden gut bekommen. Ich habe Bruder Spehr geschrieben, dass es dir und mir *unreadable* am 25. August zu ihm zu kommen, um *unreadable* mit 1. *unreadable/Turm* begonnen *werden*. Vielleicht merkst du dir diesen Termin, da dir wohl Br. Spehr nicht mehr schreibt. Inzwischen *habe ich gehört*, dass für *pseudo Greek stuff*"

In English:

"I feel compelled to thank you and your lovely wife again, that you made such an effort to come (to me). Hopefully the long march was healthy for both of you. I've written Brother Spehr, that you and me *are able* to come to him on the 25th of August, to begin/start (the) first *something/tower*. Maybe you can remember this date, as Brother Spehr probably doesn't write to you anymore (probably meant as "until then"). In the mean time *I heard*, that for *pseudo Greek stuff*"

Asterisks are around words we weren't sure or words that were simply unreadable. Also in the translation I've replaced some of those with stuff that would probably make sense.

Hope that helps a bit

[Rockstar]

Certainly looks like different languages have been written. Maybe two different people wrote something on the same postcard. I noted too the letter is ended using the language of the first half.

So what you're saying, it doesn't have anything to do with smuggling Llamas? Hmm I would have never thought.

[Reece]

This is so weird, I know some old German people here, I will have to approach them and see what they say, then putting it all together with translations here might finally decode it, it is just something in with all my old family photo's, both my parents have passed away so can't ask them though there German was very poor to non existent.:yep:
Many thanks All!