it is a Midwest thing…
Yiddish “oy” is very useful.
Doesn’t c’est dommage mean “That’s a shame”? In which case we already have a clear English phrase for this situation.
It’s short for I’m sorry for your lost or I’m sorry to hear about that. It needs to be taken in context, not literally. Words/phrases can have multiple meanings and usually it depends upon the context in which they are used.
Language Log tends to take a dim view of claims that “Language X has no word for Y”. They’ve featured (and rubbished) many such claims over the years.
Often it is literally true that the language doesn’t have a single word corresponding to the concept. But it doesn’t follow that the speakers of that language lack understanding of the concept or have any difficulty expressing it, or that the absence of the word reveals anything in particular about their culture.
Because “I’m sorry” expresses sympathy while the others are mere commentary.
Portuguese: que pena
Like several others here, it’s like saying “what a pity”
On the bright side, the ambiguity can be used in your favor.
I don’t know, but it might well be that “I’m sorry” and “I apologize” originally had distinct meanings with only the latter implying some blame. Languages change all the time.
For example, it seems now the standard response to “Thank you” is becoming “No problem” rather than “You’re welcome.” You could ask similar questions about that. “No problem” makes sense if I am thanking you when you agree to do a favor for me. On the other hand, it sounds strange when a store clerk replies “No problem” after a “Thank you” concluding a transaction. It’s their job; there certainly shouldn’t be a problem.
The (diaspora) Irish I learned as a child would be “Bad craic”. Is this not used in the US (or does it have another meaning)? I’m taking about an 80-mile diaspora, so there may well be a difference.
j
I disagree. I think they all express sympathy.
“I’m sorry,” however, is these days more commonly meant as and understood as an acceptance of blame or responsibility. Yes, of course, words can have different meanings, but I see no reason to use “I’m sorry” in these circumstances when it’s ambiguous what might be meant.
I’m sorry is just too empty and meaningless these days.
I was taught to engage in the conversation, acknowledge what they are feeling.
Bill: I lost my phone.
Me: That must be so inconvenient. Have you tried to locate it with find my phone?
I prefer “taihen!” “Zannen” does mean “that’s too bad” but it sounds a bit prim and uninvolved emotionally to me. “Ara, taihen!” means, roughly, “Oh man, that’s terrible!” It’s more conversational and feeling.
Just my opinion as a non-native speaker.
It’s not too early.
“Lost my phone.”
“Thoughts and prayers.”
I think you’re right about them wanting an apology from whomever (or whatever) wronged them. But I don’t think the problem is that sympathy and apology are too intertwined in people’s minds, I think they’re too intertwined in the language.
Both have roots in “I’m sorrowful”, or “that makes me sad”, it’s just what you are sad about differs. In one case you are saddened that something bad happened and wish it hadn’t or you could do something to fix it. In the other, you are saddened by what you did and wish you could fix it. Thus, the ambiguity of the word.
“I’m sorry to hear that” = I don’t want to hear about your problems
“That’s too bad” can seem dismissive
Sorry, you said “But it’s not restricted to the context of “I’m sorry that happened to you”.” Thus my misunderstanding.
Might be a regional thing, but the standard response to “Thank you” here seems to be “thank you.”
I do think that saying “I’m sorry” expresses a sense of sorrow, of sadness at a thing, without adopting (or shedding) blame, in contrast with apologizing. Or at least that it used to have more of this meaning. People seem increasingly to use “sorry” and expression of apology interchangeably, though – about which I’m sorry. It’s a shame we’ve somewhat lost the ability to express the concept neatly, especially in those times when lawyerly language would provide an intrusive solution.
I still use these two different expressions accordingly, but take pains that they might not be misunderstood if it’s important.
And Spanish que lastima.
[quote=“OldGuy, post:28, topic:809766”]
I don’t know, but it might well be that “I’m sorry” and “I apologize” originally had distinct meanings with only the latter implying some blame. Languages change all the time.
sorry has come to mean excuse me (get out of my way please) and excuse me ( hey you) and excuse me (what did you say) I’ve even heard it used as a challenge issued to something unacceptable but a harsh disbelieving tone must be applied ( what the f are you doing you f-er) the natives in my country are polite, savage and quite apologetic
A phrase I have heard here in the South is “I hate it (or that) for you.”