julies

I asked a German tourist bureau if the proprietors of an establishment speak English. This was my response: "They speak english with tooth and nail."

Is this an idiom that doesn't make sense in the translation? I don't get it at all. Does it mean they do or do not speak English? thanks.

Ingo

This doesn't make sense to me. In German, literally translated, it would be "mit Zahn und Nagel" but I have never heard that.

I am assuming they speak English very well. Just a feeling that it could have this meaning.

My advice is to ask again.

hausfrau

Doesn't sound German to me (but I'm not a native speaker). I would guess that it is the American idiom being a bit mis-used...as in "fighting tooth and nail." If that's the case, I'm guessing the proprietors will only speak English if they absolutely have to.

Ruth

I too think it's a misuse of the English idiom, but in my opinion I think the tourist bureau meant they speak it "enthusiastically, with everything they've got". As "fighting tooth and nail" means throwing yourself into it whole-heartedly. Just a guess. Can you ask the bureau again what they mean?

hopscotch

Prepositions are always a problem with German speakers trying to do English. Most probably the tourist office wanted to say "by tooth and nail," meaning "just barely."

ira

Hi J,

Your respondent at the tourist bureau was, I think, misusing an English idiom.

I believe that the meaning was "yes".

See http://www.goenglish.com/ToothAndNail.asp

julies

I took your advice and asked what this meant. Here's the answer.

They speak a little bit english. In german we say "mit Händen und Füßen".

Intrepid1

With "hands and feet" ????..that's kind of an anatomical "distance" from "tooth and nail" isn't it (LOL)???

lobo_mau

"with hands and feet" - I believe it means, "with the help of a lot of gestural/body language".

Intrepid1

Thanks, Lobo, for the clarification.

lobo_mau

no need to thank. I posted before have seen you contribution.

rex

I think the Emglish idiom "tooth and nail" - - meaning to claw one's way through a situation, struggling with each inch of the way (as in "fighting tooth and nail&quot conveys pretty well the issue of having difficulty (communicating in a language which one does not know well).

Best wishes,

Rex

valtor

I think that Rex is right: they do many efforts to speak English, and this is still difficult for them.

rex

Too mbad I cam't tympe very mweel in <b><i>Emglish</i></b>.