Posts from May 2010

Stuttgart

Posted by jan 4 Comments
May 24 2010

Today I want to introduce the city of Stuttgart to you. I guess a lot of you didn´t even hear the name because when you think of Germany, your thoughts are obviously connected to Berlin, Hamburg, München (Munich), Frankfurt and maybe Köln (Cologne ). But for me being born and living the biggest part of my life here, it´s the Stadt (city) in Germany that I know best. And there is one association to Stuttgart that might sound familiar to almost everybody: The car was invented here.

Stuttgart is located in the south west of Germany. The Zentrum (centre) itself isn´t very big and counts about 600.000 inhabitants. The most important reason for this is the fact, that Stuttgart is geographically situated in a kind of Kessel (caldron) so that there´s simply not enough space to enlarge the city. So with this number of Einwohner (inhabitants) it has the status of being rank six among the biggest cities in Germany. But there are zahllose (countless) suburbs around the centre and altogether it´s called the Region Stuttgart.  With about three million people living here, it is number three after Berlin and the Ruhrgebiet among the biggest agglomerations in Germany.

For being the capital of the land Baden Württemberg, the Landtag (parliament of a land) is situated in the heart of the city. So this makes the city the political centre of Baden Württemberg as well.

As I mentioned before, the Auto (car) was invented here. More than 100 years later, the automobile industry is still the most important economical Standbein (main pillar, supporting leg) of the whole region. For having the headquarters of Mercedes Benz and Porsche in Stuttgart, thousands of people are working for these companies and during the decades Stuttgart evolved to the capital of fine engineering. I often call it “Motorstadt” (motor city) because of its background and its countless cars running through the streets. Even the top of the Hauptbahnhof (main station) in Stuttgart is decorated with a giant star of Mercedes Benz. But when I call it Motorstadt, it also has a negative touch. Due to the geographical situation and the horrible traffic, there are a lot of places where the air is heavily polluted.

Fortunately the city offers big parks and is surrounded by Weinberge (vineyards) so that it´s easy to see, breathe and feel something green every once in a while!

Various universities, colleges and academies are located in Stuttgart. In combination with a lively Nachtleben (nightlife) and a big range of cultural choice such as theatre, museums, opera etc., it also is an attractive place to live for students and young people. By the way, Mercedes Benz and Porsche established some extraordinary museums in Stuttgart the last years. But they are worth an extra blog post, so you´ll read about them later!

As you can imagine there would be a hundred things to write about the city, but at this point I encourage you to read more on Wikipedia and watch the following clip:

YouTube Preview Image

So after all Stuttgart has a lot to offer and I really can recommend to visit the city. By the way, the dialect that is spoken in the south west of Germany is called “Schwäbisch”.  It´s a real strong dialect and I guess a lot of you who are learning German won´t understand a word if you heard us chatting among each other…therefore there was an advertising for the city of Stuttgart some years ago that says: “We can do everything…but speak German” ;-)

Here you can find the vocabulary to this blog post.

Language Wall- Sprachmauer

Posted by sandra 1 Comment
May 22 2010

When East Germany became officially unified with the West in 1990, many people thought Germany had finally become a joint nation and that past barriers from daily life to politics had been overcome. However many people still seem to forget that not only was there a border spanning across cities and landscapes, but a language wall as well.

While both East and West Germany spoke German, there were differences in certain meanings, as objects and actions were oftentimes referred to differently (Verschiedenartig) depending on location.

The question is: Were there really two German languages?

In a certain way, yes. Until 1989 there was a West Duden and East Duden. It did not mean the two sides – Ossies- Wessies did not get along (or Bundis and Zonis how one would of said in the former East Germany ). But rather the different usage reflects a different way of life and the different political background.

After WWII, the four main powers that controlled Germany, also influenced word usage within the German language. In this case Russia patrolled the Eastern part of Germany, while the US and the UK occupied the West. With that, words in the East also partially came from Russia or translations from that language. Similarly, in the West the same thing took place from English words. In a sense, both German sides not only were separated ( getrennt) in daily life but linguistically as well.

After 1990, when the unification officially took place, (the border opening took place in 1989, yet the official joining occurred in 1990)  Some words were picked up by West German media and its population, words that were uncommon in the West and predominantly used by East Germans. However many words and meanings lost their significance after that year.

Here is a small list of examples to my readers to give you better insight on different usage from East (bold) to West (italics) German. At the end you will find the translated English version with some explanation.

Kaufhalle- supermarkt –Supermarket, derived from English language from “Supermarket”

Broiler -Hänchen ? Both are terms used for a grilled chicken- English

Zelter- Mineral Wasser ? Both are Sparkling water- English word usage again-

Datsche –Bungalow ( English : country cottage/house)- Originally a Russian word.

Plaste und Elaste - Kunststoff - English: plastic

Altstoffsammlung – Sammeln von Sekundärrohstoffen (Altpapier, Alttextilien und Gläsern), Collecting of secondary raw materials (old paper, old textiles and glasses) Recycling

Fahrerlaubnis – Führerscheindokument- in English:  Drivers License

Soljanka- A soup that is standard in almost every restaurant now, is a Russian soup recipe.

Einwandfrei- synonym für “cool” – English- Awesome/cool

Alubesteck- Besteck aus Aluminium.

The list goes on. Some words are borrowed from French, Russian, and English (to name a few), while words in West Germany are borrowed words as well.

Many words that were ones used in Eastern Germany are disappearing.( Verschwinden)  In a sense, it is part of how a culture develops and how constantly the German duden is being revised with new words every few years.

This does not mean a person needs to learn several languages in order to understand German, yet it is interesting to note that German culture has outside influence over the course of its history, from human migration to Napoleon Bonaparte and Catherine II the Great.

The Germanic Language has myriad influences and is the result ( Resultaten) of the intermixing of such influences. German belongs to the Indo-european group of languages, for example, in which the Slavic language (Russian-Eastern countries) as the forerunner of the Germanic Language. The Slavic language and the German language parted ways eventually while the Gothic Language (Gotisch Sprache) is still found in many German characteristics. The first real form of a developed Germanic written language is the Gothic writings. The Goths originally used other branches of language groups with common runic characters, scratching language in objects of wood and other materials. So, as you can clearly see, the German language has been largely built on the shoulders of other countries, regions and influenced ( Der Einfluss)  over time ( Die Zeit)  from both ( beide) within and outside of its borders.

differently – Verschiedenartig

separated- Getrennt

disappearing- Verschwinden

result – Resultaten

Gothic Language – Gotisch Sprache

influenced- Der Einfluss

time- Zeit

both- beide

to learn these German words, please click here

PS: Hähnchen is the correct version- not Hänchen, thank you to a reader- my apologies!

Arbeit ( Work)

Posted by komo No Comments
May 22 2010

I’ve been perusing through the web looking at articles about unemployment in Germany and the U.S. Since the economic downturn in 2008, Arbeitslosigkeit (unemployment) has skyrocketed in Germany, U.S. and elsewhere in Europe. 
 
Before things went sour (economically) Germany had seen a record high in Arbeitsplatz (employment): 40.3 million, the highest level since Wiedervereinigung (reunification) in 1990. The labor market reported, in January ‘09 that the amount ofArbeiter (workers) without employment rose by 18,000 in December ’08. Analysts also said the number of German jobs lost would rise to 30,000. 
 
Though the minds of German and American job seekers are still filled with doom and gloom about the job market, there are signs of jobs coming onto the market. 
 
Market Watch reported the number of unemployed German workers was down by 3,000 in December ’09, but warned the number could rise again. There is some speculation about the accuracy of this number. 
 
A program called “Kurzarbeit” or short term work is in effect. Employers, instead of losing jobs, are degradierte (demoted) to work fewer hours during the week, but receive full-time pay, which is subsidized by the federal government. Depending on your reason for “Kurzarbeit,” the government pays 67%-80% of your Arbeitslohn (wages).  

die Arbeit – work
die Arbeitslosigkeit -  workers
der Arbeitsplatz – employment
die Arbeiter – workers
degradierte – demoted
der Arbeitslohn – wages
die Wiedervereinigung – reunification
kurzarbeit – short term work

Clärchens Ballhaus

Posted by sandra 2 Comments
May 17 2010

With restaurants such as café Moscow, a landmarked (denkmalgeschütztes) building (Gebäude) in the East-Berlin sector. The Brandburger Tor and not far, the Museum island as well as the Friedrichstrasse named after  “Alten Fritze”  among many shops, cafes and business centers that made their mark in this spectacular city which has a long yet interesting past. Berlin-Mitte is worth a second look, its history going back to the 12 century with two fishing villages first making settlement on either side of the river Spree, though what many don’t know is the Stadtmuseum Berlin Landesmuseum für Kultur u. Geschichte, gives a thorough description and presentation of this city with videos and pictures in every stage that was ever recorded. Berlin-Mitte has become a cultural center for the arts in all forms as well as having become a magnet for people from all nations and lives. Buzzing with lights and sounds, the surreal atmosphere it gives, can’t be described in a few simple ways, nor be compared with any other city in the world. East and West combine, the past as a memory forever in the people, yet not forgotten in our hearts but bringing with that, a new era that is simply astounding.

Clärchens Ballhaus was first opened by Fritz Bühler and his wife Clara Habermann in 1913 in the back house of Auguststraße 24-25.  However before serving as a restaurant it operated as an institute.

Where spirit of times ( zeitgeist) and tradition of Berlin meet, a place where your grandparents went  Schwoofen ( hopping around) . It is the oldest dance floor in Berlin and has attracted media and people from all walks of life- from young and old hitting the dance floor, to enjoy the flare like no where else.

Every Monday to Thursday dancing can be done from tango to swing dancing- if that is not your idea of fun, you can still enjoy sitting in the front garden that was ones the front of the building. The atmosphere of the Clärchens’ is really breathtaking. One sits in the court of a house almost destroyed during world war two, under large trees with tulips and flower beds surrounding you, at the most prominent place of Berlin. The small niches are perfect for whispering sweet nothings and gossiping. If the hunger comes, one can be spoiled with tasty stone stove pizza (Steinofenpizza) or quite classically with meatballs ( Bouletten) frankfurter and huge amounts of potato salad (Kartoffelsalat).

 There is no need for embarrassment, it is a thoroughly democratic affair at Clärchens – whether you are a beginner or the proverbial Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers; maybe you’re in the mood to throw on a posh frock/suit or keep it casual in jeans and trainers, emphasis is on having a good time…no judgement passed here.

And between April and June take advantage of the ‘Spargel Menu’ with a variety of dishes tailored around the famed Beelitzer Asparagus, on offer in most restaurants/café’s in and across Germany.

 A Landmark- denkmalgeschütztes

Building- Gebäude

Hopping around- Schwoofen 

stone stove pizza -Steinofenpizza

Meatballs- Bouletten

spirit of times – zeitgeist

potato salad -Kartoffelsalat

Learn the German words here, with audio help!

Let´s get over it

Posted by jan 21 Comments
May 17 2010

Whenever there´s a discussion about Germany, German language or culture, it often ends up on one topic: World War 2. And, to be honest, I ask myself why World War 2 is still such a big deal today? And I want to explain why…

I was born in 1976. My parents were born in the 1950´s. Meanwhile I have children on my own. So as you can see, quite a few generations already grew up since the war ended (1945). But still, World War 2 seems to be one of the most obvious associations with Germany.

I don´t want to trivialize anything that happened during this horrible period of dictatorship. And to be honest, if I wasn´t German, maybe I would have the same opinions, prejudices and negative attitudes as many people in the world do. What I want say is that I think it´s totally understandable.

But actually I am German. So I´m always  confronted by reminders of WWII:

  • Documentaries about the war are running constantly on TV. As well as discussions about it.
  • Whenever you meet people from different countries, you often end up talking about it because of Germany´s past.
  • The war still has a big impact on politics these days. Even though it´s often subliminal.
  • People normally have to be careful what to say about people from other countries (I mean the same things that they would say to Germans) or  showing national pride with a German flag. Others might think they have some national socialist attitudes.
  • Somehow, German people (even the younger generations) have the feeling of being guilty what happened and feel inhibited to display pride for their country.

And I think, “Why does this matter after such a long time has passed?” If you compare this situation with the USA for example, where a lot of houses are decorated with stars and stripes and almost everybody is proud of his country etc., being afraid to show national pride sounds quite absurd.

In the summer of 2006 the world championship of soccer took place in Germany. This was the first time in my whole life that I had the feeling that everybody in Germany stood  together as one country and the colors black, red and gold (the colors of the German flag) were seen everywhere. Though they were just soccer games, you could feel that the attitude of people was beginning to change. And I thought to myself: What a big step in only four weeks! I guess the good weather also was a reason for everybody to be in a good mood…so everything was just perfect and absolutely peaceful.

But as the championship was over, this good feeling disappeared as well.

Let me repeat that I don´t want to trivialize things. I also know that Germany as well as the rest of the world has to reprocess the war again and again to understand and to realize what happened and first of all, that it would never happen again!

But fact is: So many years went by since 1945, contemporary witnesses are less numerous,  and the world has changed since then, as has Germany. We are a multicultural, open minded and understanding nation. So let´s get over it! (Which doesn´t mean to forget it or not mourn the tragedies that occurred.)

I guess it could be hard to imagine what I want to express with this article. It´s not about the war itself or historical facts about it. Neither about the question of being guilty or innocent. It´s just about the image of Germany in the world and the feelings of German people associated with this complex topic.

It would be nice to read some comments of you, telling your feelings, attitudes and examples of confrontations with the war topic. So maybe altogether that would explain the situation much better than just my words. I am open to discussion, as long as it is polite and respectful to others.

Back to the Top