Weekly Flag Challenge: Discussion & Entries
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Sorry to bother you, but a) the current challenge ends on the 10th May, in two (or rather 1 1/2) days! b) the "UK scraps the Union Flag"-challenge was only a suggestion by The Professor, not a definite challenge, c) only 5 or six challenges ago there was a similiar one (s. Bernkarnell's post).
Also, the next challenge topic will be chosen by the winner of the current challenge. The professor, as others have, myself included, was only tossing out a few suggestions of potential future challenges. It was not a new challenge.
The following quote was originally posted on the 'Weekly Flag Challenge: New Challenges & Previous Winners' thread (post #50)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Emperor Norton I
*Raises hand*
Soviet is a Russian word. The Germans having it therefore makes no sense.
Not a German word? 'Sowjet' is in my German dictionary ...
n Sowjet m
the Soviets (=people) die Sowjets
the Supreme Soviet der Oberste Sowjet
adj Sowjetisch, Sowjet-
soviet power Sowjetmacht f
soviet citizen Sowjetbuerger(in) m(f)
The word was certainly in use in Germany early in the 20th Century. 'Sowjet' was a German communist monthly publication, first edition July 1919, printed in Berlin. Then there was the notorious exhibition, film etc 'Das Sowjet-Paradies' (the Soviet Paradise) from the Nazis (see attached picture).
Yes, I used the English 'Soviet' in describing the 'German Soviet Socialist Republic' in my 1940 ATL map, but of course all labels were in English. But do English language maps mark the former Soviet Union as 'CCCP' rather than 'USSR'?
Attached Images
Quote:
Originally Posted by Emperor Norton I
*Raises hand*
Soviet is a Russian word. The Germans having it therefore makes no sense.
Not a German word? 'Sowjet' is in my German dictionary ...
n Sowjet m
the Soviets (=people) die Sowjets
the Supreme Soviet der Oberste Sowjet
adj Sowjetisch, Sowjet-
soviet power Sowjetmacht f
soviet citizen Sowjetbuerger(in) m(f)
The word was certainly in use in Germany early in the 20th Century. 'Sowjet' was a German communist monthly publication, first edition July 1919, printed in Berlin. Then there was the notorious exhibition, film etc 'Das Sowjet-Paradies' (the Soviet Paradise) from the Nazis (see attached picture).
Yes, I used the English 'Soviet' in describing the 'German Soviet Socialist Republic' in my 1940 ATL map, but of course all labels were in English. But do English language maps mark the former Soviet Union as 'CCCP' rather than 'USSR'?
Attached Images
I think Norton wants to say that Soviet is originally a Russian word, meaning "worker's council". The German word Sowjet is, of course, a loan word, too. The closest German translation of Soviet would be "Rat", which is commonly used to describe the original Socialist states (s. "Räterepublik").
Thus the word Soviet is inappropriate to a certain degree, however it can be used, even though it is not ideal.
Thus the word Soviet is inappropriate to a certain degree, however it can be used, even though it is not ideal.
I've decided it's safer for me just to list my suggestions and update it 
The Professor said:
I've got a suggestion for a challenge.
If you look at world and the current astronomical amount of resources it would take to make permanent homes elsewhere in the Solar System, chances are you'll realize that space colonization will likely begin with corporations attempting to get at mineral rich asteroids. The challenge would be to design the flags of the colonial companies that are set up to do so, as well as a brief blurb describing the company (ie. country/countries of origin, if they have sponsorship of a government, etc.).
If you look at world and the current astronomical amount of resources it would take to make permanent homes elsewhere in the Solar System, chances are you'll realize that space colonization will likely begin with corporations attempting to get at mineral rich asteroids. The challenge would be to design the flags of the colonial companies that are set up to do so, as well as a brief blurb describing the company (ie. country/countries of origin, if they have sponsorship of a government, etc.).
Apart for giving examples showing that 'Sowjet' was in use in Germany from at least 1919, my important point is that the title on the map to which Norton objected is in English, as with all the nation names. Do people object to English language maps on which Deutschland or Deutsches Reich are labelled Germany or German Empire?
Clearly, I must remember not to talk about das hobby, der pullover or der cocktail on this board
Daon-Phoblacht na hÉireann
(People's Republic of Ireland)
As Britain descended into anarchy in the early 1900s the communist Fenian Party took power in Ireland.
Their flag was based on the legendary sunburst emblem of the Fianna.
The red field represents the spilled blood of the Irish people, and their dedication to the Rule of the People (ie Communism).
The sunburst represents their warrior spirit.
The green at the heart of the sun represents the Irish lands.
(People's Republic of Ireland)
As Britain descended into anarchy in the early 1900s the communist Fenian Party took power in Ireland.
Their flag was based on the legendary sunburst emblem of the Fianna.
The red field represents the spilled blood of the Irish people, and their dedication to the Rule of the People (ie Communism).
The sunburst represents their warrior spirit.
The green at the heart of the sun represents the Irish lands.
Last edited:
I'm still working on mine (predictably), but I just want to share a thought for others.
The flag of the USSR had no connection to that of Imperial Russia.
The flag of the PRC looks nothing like that of the RoC.
The flag of Communist Vietnam does not share any design elements with that of pre-Communist Vietnam.
On the other hand, the Eastern Bloc flags were either identical to their pre-Communist counterparts, or else simply added a socialist emblem.
The flag of the USSR had no connection to that of Imperial Russia.
The flag of the PRC looks nothing like that of the RoC.
The flag of Communist Vietnam does not share any design elements with that of pre-Communist Vietnam.
On the other hand, the Eastern Bloc flags were either identical to their pre-Communist counterparts, or else simply added a socialist emblem.