Aussage German · revision 35471

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1347|origins=ine-pro *sekʷ-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /ˈaʊ̯sˌzaːɡə/, [ˈʔaʊ̯sˌzaːɡə], [ˈʔaʊ̯sˌsaː-]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''Aussage''' ''f'' (genitive Aussage, plural Aussagen)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a noun formed on the verb [[aussagen]] “to state, testify”,^(DWB2|3, 1315)^(Wiktionary)^(Wiktionary DE) which is [[inh|gmh|ūʒsagen|t=to pronounce, recite]] (late Middle High German), from [[m|gmh|ūʒ|t=out]] and [[m|gmh|sagen|t=to say]].^(Pfeifer 1993)^(Duden 7 2007)

+

+ The verb [[sagen]] is [[goh|sagēn]], from [[gem-pro|*sagēn|t=to say]]; beside it stands [[m|gem-pro|*sagjaną]], seen in [[osx|seggian]], [[ang|secgan]], [[en|say]] and [[non|segja]].^(Pfeifer 1993)^(Orel 2003)^(Köbler AHD) Pfeifer connects it with [[lt|sakyti|alt=sakýti|t=to say, tell]] and [[grc|ἐννέπω|tr=ennépō|t=to tell]], and sets up a root [[ine-pro|*sekʷ-]] whose first sense was perhaps “to scent, track”, as a hound does;^(Pfeifer 1993)^(Duden 7 2007) Duden relates it to the root of [[sehen]].^(Pfeifer 1993)^(Duden 7 2007)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The first record, from 1347, uses ''auzsag'' for a legal provision laid down in a document; in 1474 ''ussage'' is the statement of witnesses.^(DWB2|3, 1315) Early New High German has both “statement” and “testimony of a witness, confession of the accused”.^(FWB)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The word became frequent only from the 17th century, mostly of formal statements in court or an inquiry, in phrases such as ''eine Aussage machen'' and ''die Aussage verweigern''.^(DWB2|3, 1315) Adelung notes that the simple noun [[Sage]] had once been used for testimony in court, and that in Lower Saxony ''Aussage'' also meant a promise and a share settled on a future heir.^(Adelung 1793)

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+ Modern uses include an opinion or finding stated by someone, a [[m|en|proposition]] in logic and mathematics, and the message of a work of art.^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary)^(Wiktionary DE) The legal set phrase ''Aussage steht gegen Aussage'' describes two contradictory statements, neither of which can be given more weight.^(DWB2|3, 1315)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1347 – First record, ''auzsag'' “legal provision”.^(DWB2|3, 1315)

+ * 1474 – ''ussage'' is used of witnesses' statements.^(DWB2|3, 1315)

+ * 1525 – In Luther's letters, the ''aussag'' of witnesses is read out to them.^(DWB2|3, 1315)

+ * 17th century – The word becomes frequent.^(DWB2|3, 1315)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[m|en|statement]]: an opinion, finding or judgement that someone expresses: ''Die Aussagen der Experten widersprechen sich.''^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary)

+ # [[m|en|testimony]]: a statement made to the police or in court: ''Der Zeuge hat seine Aussage zurückgezogen.'';^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary DE) ''die Aussage verweigern'', to refuse to testify.^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary DE)

+ # The message or content that a work expresses: ''die Aussage des Films''.^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary DE)

+ # ''(logic)'' A [[m|en|proposition]]: a statement that is either true or false.^(Wiktionary)^(Wiktionary DE)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[Aussagenlogik]]

+ * [[Zeugenaussage]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[Sage]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}