Victor Dewsbery has added a post in his blog Language Mystery going into great (and alas necessary) detail on millions, milliards, billions, trillions etc.
Translating numbers: 1. How much is a billion?
This history of the number systems has also created “false friends” for translators. A German “Billion” is not the same as an English “billion”. The words “Trillion” and “Quadrillion” are also misleading. And a German “Milliarde” is not a “milliard”.
This much I remember, and I am very grateful to Victor for setting it out so well. Take a look around for other topics while you’re there.
Thanks for the mention, Margaret
Keine Ursache!
I had forgotten how impressed I am with your site.
Hi! In Spanish, we face very similar challenges – in some cases from the pervasive English (and even from Italian in some countries).
Thanks for sharing!
Hernán
These “German” numbers have always confused me. It could be worse, though. Anything over 60 in French, for instance.