palaver
The term Palaver (formerly: Palaber ) describes a lengthy and often rather superficial conversation . In German, the term has a negative connotation in general usage. In ethnological studies in other countries, however, a different meaning emerges: The purpose of the palaver is to get to know the other person a little better before the crucial phases of the conversation.
In African culture, the word here corresponds to the meaning of "assembly". In large parts of Africa , the palaver is one of the good manners ; the longer, the more important the matter and the higher the rankings are.
etymology
The word palaver comes from Greek via Latin, Portuguese and English into German. Greek παραβολή means as a literary term " comparison , parable " (see parable ). Latin parabola stands for "narration, report"; the Portuguese word for it is palavra . Portuguese traders presumably applied this term to lengthy negotiations with African business partners.
Trivia
A central role was in Stephen King's fantasy - cycle The Dark Tower attached to the term in which the protagonist Roland Deschain with the other characters by Palaver information exchange that significantly influence the course of history to some extent. In the corresponding concordances The Gate to Stephen King's Dark Tower I – IV and The Gate to Stephen King's Dark Tower V – VII by Robin Furth , the term was explained as “ discussion , advice , discussion ” and the “exchange of important thoughts”.
