Friday 6 June 2008

Word of the week: Doppelkupplungsgetriebe

I don’t speak German but there is something wonderfully clear and logical about it as a language. Even I could see how Doppelkupplungsgetriebe means double clutch gearbox. And how, you might ask, did I stumble upon this gem? It was in a Porsche press release detailing revisions to the 911 (direct fuel injection is the other major update). According to a knowledgeable friend it is pronounced:

"Doppel" is pronounced as the spelling suggests and means double.

"Kupplungs" is pronounced with the emphasis on the "Kup" part of the word – clutch, presumably.

"Getriebe" is pronounced "G'Treeber" – literally gear box?

So now you know!

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