‘Wave’ is the only possible English translation for two distinct German words: Woge and Welle. Although very nearly synonymous, they have different connotations and overtones. Most modern German speakers would say that ‘Woge’ feels slightly old-fashioned or literary. It is certainly the case that ‘Welle’ tends to be used in technical scientific contexts (e.g. electro-magnetic waves).
There is a verb ‘wogen’ (‘to cause a rocking motion’, as with a boat on a lake) but no verb corresponding with the noun ‘Welle’.
Readers might wish to use the two distinct indexes here to determine whether or not there was a distinction in the concept of ‘waves’ in the poems Schubert set to music.
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Descendant of:
WATERTexts with this theme:
- Romanze (Ein Fräulein klagt´ im finstern Turm), D 114
- Ballade (Ein Fräulein schaut vom hohen Turm), D 134
- Liebesrausch, D 164, D 179
- Amphiaraos, D 166
- Der Morgenstern, D 172, D 203
- Das war ich, D 174, D deest
- Liebeständelei, D 206
- Abendlied (Groß und rotentflammet), D 276
- Fischerlied, D 351, D 364, D 562
- Trinklied (Funkelnd im Becher), D 356
- Geist der Liebe, D 414, D 747
- An die untergehende Sonne, D 457
- Gesang der Geister über den Wassern, D 484, D 538, D 705, D 714
- Nach einem Gewitter, D 561
- Der Strom, D 565
- Widerschein, D 639, D 949
- Die Sterne (Du staunest, o Mensch), D 684
- Im Walde (Waldesnacht), D 708
- Am See, D 746
- Der Zwerg, D 771
- Ungeduld, D 795/7
- Fülle der Liebe, D 854
- Der liebliche Stern, D 861
- Schiffers Scheidelied, D 910
- Auf dem Strom, D 943