Germans fear language is being ruined by English

The Telegraph ^ | 12/17/2008 | David Wroe in Berlin

[bruinbirdman]

Fear is mounting among Germans that their language is being eroded by waves of English and other foreign jargon

After years of post-war Anglicisation and Americanisation, seven out of 10 Germans speak some English. But experts say there is a growing backlash against the widespread use of foreign terms in the age of globalisation, technology and immigration. Business leaders are growing tired of English "management speak".

A fortnight ago, Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative party voted to enshrine the German language in the nation's constitution -- seen as a pointed gesture toward the large Turkish, Arab and African communities. And German companies are starting to shy away from relying on English in their marketing slogans, after years of using the foreign language so often that sometimes their own customers didn't know what they were talking about.

A slogan for the perfume maker Douglas, ''Come in and find out'', became famous because most people thought it was challenging customers to come into the stores then try to find their way out again. A Jaguar car slogan, ''Life by gorgeous'' -- which didn't made sense in English -- was interpreted by many Germans as referring to living in Georgia. A satchel, in German, is often referred to by the English term ''Bodybag''.

''Many people have decided that enough is enough,'' said Roland Kaehlbrandt, author of a book called German for Elites. ''They are not taking companies that only use English seriously any more. We are very open-minded and positive about everything that comes from outside, but there is a fear now that we may forget our own language and our own culture.''

After the war and during the Cold War in West Germany, English -- particularly through the influence of the US -- was simply cooler than German, he said.

At least

[RobinOfKingston]

Sehr gut!

[nickcarraway]

This is not new. This has happened periodically in Germany about the language. Once there was a group that tried to replace all words of French origin.

[JRios1968]

A Pan Am 727 flight, waiting for start clearance in Munich, overheard the following:

Lufthansa (in German): “Ground, what is our start clearance time?”

Ground (in English): “If you want an answer you must speak in English.”

Lufthansa (in English): “I am a German, flying a German airplane, in Germany Why must I speak English?”

Unknown voice from another plane (in a beautiful British accent): “Because you lost the bloody war!”

[Radl]

Achtung dude......Maybe they have something there.

[unkus]

O K

[ari-freedom]

We are very open-minded and positive about everything that comes from outside, but there is a fear now that we may forget our own language and our own culture.

Don't worry. I'll never forget.

[skinkinthegrass]

...first it was, the Scots
...then Welsh.
...then Cornish.
...then....etc...etc.
...then French.
...now Germans.
...next Arabs???.

[calenel]

The French have had such a policy for ages.

We should have one ourselves. English as the official language. Maybe we should start calling it American.

[Azzurri]

I don't really have a comment on this story...I've just been waiting for the right moment to post this picture of German women.

[skinkinthegrass]

Unknown voice from another plane (in a beautiful British accent): “Because you lost the bloody war!”
*snicker* LOL!
"Troika / Footstool of Liberalism...Corruption, Nationalization & Propaganda" Rush Limbuagh
“Liberalism is just Communism sold by the drink." P.J.O’Rourke

[buccaneer81]

"I am a German, flying a German airplane"

Built in Seattle.

[Dionysius]

They’re worried about their precious culture and, at the same time, kiss Muslim ass with Teutonic ferocity. Is there a ping for “Screwed Up Priorities”?

[buccaneer81]

...next Arabs???

And Romanians, and Turks and the Roma...

[skinkinthegrass]

I don't really have a comment on this story...I've just been waiting for the right moment to post this picture of German women.
*sigh/lovely*...love your Timing...
"Trioka / Footstool of Liberalism...Corruption, Nationalization & Propaganda" Rush Limbuagh
“Liberalism is just Communism sold by the drink." P.J.O’Rourke

[Joe 6-pack]

I've always been fond of this one...

Pilot (Speedbird 206): "Frankfurt tower, Speedbird 206 is clear of the active runway."

Tower: "Speedbird 206, taxi to gate Alpha One-Seven."

Pilot (Speedbird 206): [silence, standing still just off of the runway]

Tower: "Speedbird 206, don't you know where to go?"

Speedbird 206: "Stand by tower, I'm looking up the gate location now."

Tower (growing impatient): "Speedbird 206, haven't you ever been to Frankfurt?"

Pilot (Speedbird 206): "Yes, twice in 1944 -- but it was dark and I didn't land."

[eclecticEel]

A Jaguar car slogan, ''Life by gorgeous'' -- which didn't made sense in English

It seems there's a great many things that don't ... um ... made sense.

[papasmurf]

Oh, wait. English has been mandatory in German Schools for over 50 years, and now they want to stop it’s use?

Ja, typisch.

[ari-freedom]

Meet "Heidi."

[skinkinthegrass]

And Romanians, and Turks and the Roma...
and the Uzbekistanis....PCism, never stops....
"Trioka / Footstool of Liberalism...Corruption, Nationalization & Propaganda" Rush Limbuagh
“Liberalism is just Communism sold by the drink." P.J.O’Rourke