Re: More than three genders?

Joachim Pense wrote:
> Sericinus hunter wrote:
>
> >    Interesting. I don't think this is possible though. This is
> > either not a Russian tale, or the translation was rather creative.
> > Does the book state the original title somewhere? Or can you give
> > the plot briefly so I can try to figure it out? Also, is it a folk
> > tale or it has an author? So far I cannot recall using the title
> > 'king' with any character associated with cold or winter.
>
> I will have a look. 
>
> Anyway, the plot: 

[...]

> I will have a look in the book, but right now I to not want to wake up my
> daughter who sleeps in the room which contains the book.

   No need for that. The plot says it all. This is 'Morozko'
by Aleksei Tolstoi, if I remember correctly. The name of the
character which is in the original title is diminutive form
of 'moroz' (cold or frost) and is of masculine gender.
   There is old classic movie made after this tale, with
somewhat more sophisticated plot, but anyway... Very interesting
and lengthy discussion on imdb.com reflecting how so beloved by
every Russian movie is taken absolutely differently by people of
other cultures, some even calling it 'a creation of a team of drug
addicts' or something to similar extend. Worth taking a look:
http://imdb.com/title/tt0058374/

   As to the German translation, this is understandable too.
Der Winter is masculine indeed, and fits the purpose perfectly.