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The German Spelling Reform

Author: Laura Smith

Publisher: GRIN Verlag

Published: 2015-05-07

Total Pages: 9

ISBN-13: 3656956650

Essay from the year 2012 in the subject German Studies - Linguistics, University of Birmingham, course: BA Modern Languages, language: English, abstract: The German spelling reform, implemented in 1996, was meant to improve certain aspects of the German language in order to make the rules clearer and the language as a whole easier to learn. However, the agreement also wanted to minimise complication for native speakers who were used to the original rules. Already the 20th century had seen several attempts to adjust German orthography; therefore it was obviously a significant problem. The original orthographic rules were unclear and subject to much variation. In spite of this necessity, were the changes themselves worth the subsequent trouble? Firstly, the scharfes s {ß} character’s usage was minimized: it now appears only after a long vowel or diphthong. Secondly, the reform aimed to clarify the rules regarding the capitalisation of nouns, which is a feature unique to German. They were suggestions of abolition, but at the fear of significant opposition “...reformers were obliged to opt for the less controversial strategy of harmonising the existing rules...” (2005: 67). Thirdly the former tendency to omit a consonant where a compound word would result in a triple consonant was rejected in favour of writing out all three subsequent consonants: Schiffahrt became Schifffahrt. Fourthly, the spelling of certain compound verb phrases has been altered. Phrases consisting of a verb and a) another verb, b) a noun, c) an adjective or d) an adverb which can stand alone as an adjective. Kennenzulernen is now the form of the original kennen zu lernen, for example.

The German Spelling Reform

Author: Laura Smith

Publisher:

Published: 2015-05-07

Total Pages: 16

ISBN-13: 9783656956662

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Essay from the year 2012 in the subject German Studies - Linguistics, University of Birmingham, course: BA Modern Languages, language: English, abstract: The German spelling reform, implemented in 1996, was meant to improve certain aspects of the German language in order to make the rules clearer and the language as a whole easier to learn. However, the agreement also wanted to minimise complication for native speakers who were used to the original rules. Already the 20th century had seen several attempts to adjust German orthography; therefore it was obviously a significant problem. The original orthographic rules were unclear and subject to much variation. In spite of this necessity, were the changes themselves worth the subsequent trouble? Firstly, the scharfes s {ss} character's usage was minimized: it now appears only after a long vowel or diphthong. Secondly, the reform aimed to clarify the rules regarding the capitalisation of nouns, which is a feature unique to German. They were suggestions of abolition, but at the fear of significant opposition ..".reformers were obliged to opt for the less controversial strategy of harmonising the existing rules..." (2005: 67). Thirdly the former tendency to omit a consonant where a compound word would result in a triple consonant was rejected in favour of writing out all three subsequent consonants: Schiffahrt became Schifffahrt. Fourthly, the spelling of certain compound verb phrases has been altered. Phrases consisting of a verb and a) another verb, b) a noun, c) an adjective or d) an adverb which can stand alone as an adjective. Kennenzulernen is now the form of the original kennen zu lernen, for example."

Spelling Trouble?

Author: Sally A. Johnson

Publisher: Multilingual Matters

Published: 2005-01-01

Total Pages: 222

ISBN-13: 9781853597848

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"In this book Sally Johnson explores the linguistic, cultural and political issues underpinning the constitutional challenge brought by various individuals and groups against the reform. Drawing on sociolinguistic theories of language ideology, Johnson critically analyses the conflicting views of language that were produced, reproduced and challenged in the course of this dispute. At the same time her book attempts to situate those ideologies, together with the dispute as a whole, within the wider historical context of state involvement in the standardisation of German orthography from the mid-19th century onwards." "Spelling Trouble? will be of interest to speakers and students of German as well as sociolinguists studying language politics, language planning and language ideology."--BOOK JACKET.

The German Language Today

Author: Charles Russ

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2002-11-01

Total Pages: 292

ISBN-13: 1134848013

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This clear and accessible text provides a complete introduction to basic linguistic terms and descriptions of language structures. The German Language Today describes in detail the main liguistic features of the language and the wide variety of speech forms and vocabulary existing within the German-speaking community. It also introduces sociolinguistic and linguistic topics as they relate to the German language, and illustrates them widely with examples. The German Language Today describes the sounds, inflectional processes, syntactic structures, competing forms and different layers of words in the language. Topics covered include: The distribution of German and its dialects The linguistic consequences of German reunification The application of modern linguistic concepts to German, incorporating the findings of the latest German linguistic research. The book has been written with the specific needs of students in mind. It will be invaluable to students of modern German linguistics or modern German society and will be a useful reference resource for postgraduates and teachers of German.

Using German

Author: Martin Durrell

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2003-09-04

Total Pages: 354

ISBN-13: 9780521530002

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This is an extensively revised and updated edition of the acclaimed Using German.

The Spelling Reform

Author: Francis Andrew March

Publisher:

Published: 1893

Total Pages: 96

ISBN-13:

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The History of English Spelling

Author: Christopher Upward

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2011-09-15

Total Pages: 394

ISBN-13: 1444342975

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The History of English Spelling “Fifty years ago, G. H. Vallins contributed a book on spelling to the Language Library. Since then, there have been several major surveys, and new opportunities to explore the history of English words. The time is therefore ripe for a fresh presentation, and this is what George Davidson has done, building on the huge collection of historical data amassed by Christopher Upward, and giving it narrative shape. I have been waiting for a source-book like this for a long time, and I’m delighted that it has found a place in this series.” David Crystal, Language Library series editor Few languages are riddled with as many spelling inconsistencies and irregularities as English. Why is there such dissonance between the sounds of English and the spelling used to represent them? The answer lies in the history of the language itself. The History of English Spelling reveals the rich and complex history of Modern English spelling, tracing its origins and development from Old English up to the present day. The book provides a highly detailed, letter-by-letter analysis of the Old English basis of Modern English spelling, followed by in-depth coverage of the contributions from French, Latin, Greek and the many other languages that have contributed to current orthography. Upward and Davidson also explore events in the socio-political history of England as the setting for developments in spelling, along with the works of a number of lexicographers (especially Johnson and Webster), and various proposals for spelling reform. The History of English Spelling reveals the richness of the complex and often frustrating alphabetic spelling system used in the English language. A complementary website with additional research material can be found at www.historyofenglishspelling.info

The Case for Spelling Reform

Author: Mont Follick

Publisher: Manchester University Press

Published: 1965

Total Pages: 352

ISBN-13:

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Modern German Grammar

Author: Ruth Whittle

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2013-03-01

Total Pages: 681

ISBN-13: 1136835520

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Modern German Grammar: A Practical Guide, Third Edition is an innovative reference guide to German, combining traditional and function-based grammar in a single volume. The Grammar is divided into two parts. Part A covers grammatical categories such as word order, nouns, verbs and adjectives. Part B is organised according to language functions and notions such as: making introductions asking for something to be done delivering a speech possibility satisfaction. The book addresses learners’ practical needs and presents grammar in both a traditional and a communicative setting. New to this edition, and building on feedback from the previous edition: The rules of the latest (and so far final) spelling reform have been implemented throughout. Examples of usage have been updated and consideration given to Swiss and Austrian variants. The chapter on register has been expanded and now includes youth language and frequently used Anglicisms in German. The Index now has even more key words; it has also been redesigned to differentiate between German words, grammar terms, and functions, thus making it more user-friendly. The Grammar assumes no previous grammatical training and is intended for all those who have a basic knowledge of German, from intermediate learners in schools and adult education to undergraduates taking German as a major or minor part of their studies. The Grammar is accompanied by a third edition of Modern German Grammar Workbook (ISBN 978-0-415-56725-1) which features exercises and activities directly linked to the Grammar. Ruth Whittle is Lecturer, John Klapper is Professor of Foreign Language Pedagogy, Katharina Glöckel is the Austrian Lektorin and Bill Dodd is Professor of Modern German Studies – all at the University of Birmingham. Christine Eckhard-Black is Tutor and Advisor in German at the Oxford University Language Centre.

Word Origins And How We Know Them

Author: Anatoly Liberman

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2009-04-13

Total Pages: 336

ISBN-13: 0199889015

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Written in a funny, charming, and conversational style, Word Origins is the first book to offer a thorough investigation of the history and the science of etymology, making this little-known field accessible to everyone interested in the history of words. Anatoly Liberman, an internationally acclaimed etymologist, takes the reader by the hand and explains the many ways that English words can be made, and the many ways in which etymologists try to unearth the origins of words. Every chapter is packed with dozens of examples of proven word histories, used to illustrate the correct ways to trace the origins of words as well as some of the egregiously bad ways to trace them. He not only tells the known origins of hundreds of words, but also shows how their origins were determined. And along the way, the reader is treated to a wealth of fascinating word facts. Did they once have bells in a belfry? No, the original meaning of belfry was siege tower. Are the words isle and island, raven and ravenous, or pan and pantry related etymologically? No, though they look strikingly similar, these words came to English via different routes. Partly a history, partly a how-to, and completely entertaining, Word Origins invites readers behind the scenes to watch an etymologist at work.