The Local Germany

Could Denglisch one day kill off German?

Fri, 29 Jun 2018 19:21:34 +0200

From being heard in coffee shops to popular TV programmes, "Denglisch" is being used more and more across the country. But is it threatening to kill off German? A linguist sheds light on the phenomenon.

‘An enrichment of German language:’ ‘influencer’ is Anglicism of the Year

Tue, 30 Jan 2018 12:25:08 +0100

A jury of linguists has chosen the word “influencer” as the Anglicism of the Year for 2017.

‘Jamaika-Aus’ voted German Word of the Year for 2017

Fri, 08 Dec 2017 12:52:19 +0100

The Society for the German Language (GfdS) placed “Jamaica out” at the top of its list of the most important words of the year released on Friday.

Why some foreigners live in Germany without mastering the language

Wed, 25 Oct 2017 13:28:11 +0200

Debate has recently flared in Germany as to whether the prevalence of English in urban areas is a nuisance. We spoke to expats who told us why they have not learned the local language.

'Traitor of the people' is Germany's worst word of 2016: Here's why

Tue, 10 Jan 2017 13:34:17 +0100

Each year, German linguists elect one word as the 'Unwort' (non-word) of the year. For 2016, the winner was a term meaning 'traitor' which has strong Nazi connotations.

'Kebab-Murders' called 'worst word of 2011'

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:55:00 +0100

A jury of language experts has picked Döner-Morde (Kebab Murders) as 2011’s most despicable German word, saying that in the wake of racist murders the term reduced a victimised minority community to food hawkers.

Study finds babies cry in German

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:01:00 +0100

German scientists have found newborns cry in their mother tongue, signalling that they begin learning the sounds of language while still in the womb.

Linguists pick 'needy banks' as panned German phrase of 2008

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:36:00 +0100

A jury of language experts on Tuesday chose the phrase notleidende Banken, or “needy banks,” as 2008's most scorned linguistic no-no in German.