"Emoji" is now a German word, as are "Darknet" and "Tablet." The official dictionary of the German language, the Duden, is getting an update, adding 5,000 new words taken from contemporary society.
Image: picture-alliance/R. Fellens
Advertisement
"The only thing that is constant is change."
The wise words of Greek philosopher Heraclitus also hold true in the German language, if the new Duden dictionary is any indication. German's definitive linguistic resource - the go-to work for spelling and usage - is releasing its latest version on Wednesday.
The recognition of the capital ß has also been integratedImage: picture alliance/dpa/S. Jansen
The 27th edition of the Duden comes in at 1,264 pages and contains a whopping 145,000 words - 5,000 more than its previous version, released in 2013.
A look at some of the new additions reveals that most are neologisms - words that have entered common use as a result of a specific occurrence or event.
The word "Schmähgedicht" - a blasphemous or vilifying poem - is now officially in the linguistic canon thanks to satirist Jan Böhmermann's ode to Turkish President Erdogan, for example.
Not surprisingly, additional Anglicisms associated with technology have also made their way into the latest Duden, including Emoji, Selfie, Veggie and Tablet. As nouns in German, they are always capitalized.
"Emoji" has become an offiicial German wordImage: Picture-alliance/F. May
The current technological and political landscapes have led to several composites, words which put a German twist on an English word. While "Darknet" is the same in both languages, cyberwar is now officially in German "Cyberkrieg."
Several acts inspired by social media use have become verbs: To online date is officially "tindern;" to like or heart something on social media is "liken" (not to be confused with the English word for making a comparison).
It's not only the addition of new words that the 20-member team behind the Duden have been working on over these last few years. The official lexicon has also stipulated consistent hyphens for words like "Co-Trainer" and "Ex-Kanzler." Furthermore, the German character "ß," pronounced "Eszett," can now be capitalized. And the Germanized spellings of some words - "Majonäse," "Ketschup" and "Anschovis" - have been done away with.
ct/kbm (dpa, AFP)
German words that contradict themselves
Put two words together that seem like oxymorons and the result is something that makes sense. These German terms are both entertaining and paradoxical.
Image: picture-alliance/blickwinkel
Handschuh
In German, you can wear shoes on your hands - but only slip-ons and not boots or lace-ups. That's because the word for "glove" - "Handschuh" - literally means "hand shoe." The term might make you rethink your footwear - and be glad that gloves don't come with heels.
Image: Colourbox
Frauenmannschaft
Regrettably, the word for "team" is German is rather sexist: "Mannschaft" contains the word for "man." So when the team is exclusively made up of women, or "Frauen," the term for it appears to be an oxymoron. Pictured is Germany's national soccer "Frauenmannschaft."
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/Stefan Puchner
Holzeisenbahn
The official word for train in German - "Eisenbahn" - is made up of the words for "iron" and "track." But what if the train, like the toy pictured here, is made of wood? Well, then it's a "wood iron track" - even though there's not a trace of metal in the cars.
Image: Colourbox/winnieapple
Trauerfeier
Mourning and celebration sound like opposites, but in German, they are juxtaposed in the word for funeral: "Trauerfeier." While the death of a loved one certainly isn't cause to party, this term reveals a more optimistic way of viewing a funeral service: as a celebration of the deceased's life.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Scholz
Fleischkäse
"Meat cheese" sounds like a convenient way to make a sandwich, like those jars of swirled peanut butter and jam. But in reality, it contains no cheese. "Fleischkäse" is a slab of processed meat that's eaten in a white roll - and is particularly beloved in Bavaria.
Image: picture-alliance/chromorange
Hassliebe
In English, we'd say they have a "love-hate" relationship, which is a paradox used to describe a touchy situation. In German, it's turned around and called "hate love." In the picture, German actor Klaus Kinski grabs filmmaker Werner Herzog by the throat on the set of "Cobra Verde" in 1987. In reality, the two were best buddies and made numerous films together.
Image: picture-alliance / dpa
Wahlpflichtfach
So is an "optional mandatory school subject" required or not? Before students start getting excited about skipping class - yes, it is required. But a "Wahlpflichtfach" is a course that students can select from a group of subjects on offer. At least there is some choice involved.
