Unintentional Drooling: Occurrence of Saliva from the Mouth
In a fascinating incident that underscores the importance of understanding and respecting regional dialects, a misunderstanding arose in a workplace in Stuttgart, Germany. The crux of the matter was a word, "trielen," uttered by a colleague from the Emmendingen area in South Baden, not far from Alsace.
"Trielen" is a term native to the Alemannic dialects, a continuum spoken in the regions historically settled by the Alemanni, a confederation of Suebian Germanic tribes. These regions include present-day German Swabia, Baden, and French Alsace. The dialects in these areas share many features, but local vocabulary can vary significantly.
In this particular case, the colleague's remark, "Oh, I've dribbled," could not be found in standard reference works. However, the correct interpretation of "trielen" was that he had drooled while brushing his teeth. The word "Triel" in this context means gap or mouth, a derivation from the Middle High German word "Triel," which meant a gap.
The use of dialects can lead to misunderstandings, as demonstrated by this incident. In the case of "trielen," it is a term not commonly known or used in standard references. In German dictionaries, "Triel" is noted as a dialectal word. Pronounced as "truele" or "trüele" in Alsatian, as noted in the German dictionary by the Brothers Grimm. In the Swabian region, "Triel" was used for mouth or jaw, according to the website
The incident highlights the richness and diversity of regional dialects and the need for those unfamiliar with them to seek explanations to avoid misunderstandings. The Alemannic dialects in Baden, including those in Emmendingen, have many connections to Alsace, reflecting the historical and cultural ties between the two regions.
For further clarification on the origin and usage of "trielen," Ralf Schick can be contacted at 0711 66601 185 or via email at r.schick@our website.
The history of the Alemannic dialects, rooted in the regions once settled by the Alemanni, highlights the importance of understanding and respecting regional dialects, considering the richness and diversity they possess, as exemplified by the word "trielen." In science and health-and-wellness education, mental-health awareness should extend to understanding the significance of dialects in maintaining emotional well-being, as a failure to do so could result in misunderstandings and distress, as evidenced by the incident involving "trielen."
