21 Comments
From what I understand, 'barnet sitt' would imply that the "him" we're talking about 'owns' or has the child. But, since it is 'barnet hans', we're talking about "that guy over there" or "some other guy's" child.
Edit: Mhm, now that I'm thinking about this even more...and I could still be wrong... The subject of the sentence is "the child". 'Sitt' can only be used to describe something the subject has or owns. Obviously, we're not talking about the child owning his/herself. So, we need to use 'hans' to talk about "his child".
But, let's say, we wanted to say this sentence: "The child does not like his (own) dogs." Then we would say/write: "Barnet liker ikke hunder sine."
I believe you would actually have to say "hundene sine" (or sine hunder). But not "hunder sine".
How would it sound if it were "Barna hans liker ikke ulver." instead? I have difficulty differentiating these two suffixes (viz. -et and -a).
On the "slow mode" I can hear: "barnet" (she says: 'barne' without -t in the end), but using normal speed I hear every time: "barna". Gosh, so confusing :-(
Yep. Sounded like Barna for me too. Still not fixed after 2 years. Come on guys....help us out!!!!
"Barnet" is definite singular "the child".
"Barna" is definite plural "the children".
So "barna hans" would be "his children" rather than "his child"
Sorry if it wasn't clear, but the question was about pronunciation (see "how would it sound").
That's true. And "His children do not like wolves" is a perfectly valid sentence too.
Me too. On first hearing, I wasn't sure, so I listened carefully for at least 10 times, both regular and slo-mo. Finally, I was sure it was "barna".
