English Adoptions of Eight German Terms
In the heart of Berlin, a unique neighborhood, fondly referred to as the "Kiez," holds a strong sense of community and local identity. This is the home of an author who has embraced the German language so much that it has seeped into their English conversations.
The author's use of German words, particularly when discussing logistics, expressing disagreement, or referring to their neighborhood, has become a habit. Words like "Geht" and "Geht nicht," meaning "goes" and "doesn't go," respectively, are often used in conversations about logistics with their spouse.
The author's German is now fluent, and it has started influencing their native language. They often begin conversations with the casual "Na," meaning "So," "Well," or "Hey." The word "Quatsch" is another favorite, used to express disagreement or silliness, even when speaking English.
One of the author's first complete sentences in German was "Ich bin nicht bewaffnet" (I'm not armed), a phrase that has become a testament to their immersion in the language. The author also uses "Mensch" in both German and English, especially to express surprise, frustration, or empathy. When used as an expletive, "Mensch" can mean "holy shit" or "oh no!"
The author frequently concludes sentences with the word "ne," which is short for "nicht wahr" and is used in the way that English speakers use "right?" or "isn't it?" at the end of a sentence. The author has a fondness for the German word "Quatsch," which can be used to express nonsense or bollocks.
Interestingly, the author also uses "Mensch" in the Jewish sense of an upstanding or honorable person. Despite not knowing anyone and barely speaking German when they first arrived in Germany, the author cannot bring themselves to refer to their Kiez as just a "neighborhood" or "area," even when explaining it to people who have never heard the word before.
The author's use of German words in their English conversations has become a habit, even though they know they may sound ridiculous to others. However, several common German words have been adopted into English, often conveying specific meanings that enrich English vocabulary by capturing particular concepts or cultural ideas.
For instance, "Wanderlust" means "desire to roam" and describes a strong urge or longing to travel and explore the world. Other common German loanwords in English include "Kindergarten," "Doppelgänger," "Gesundheit," "Schadenfreude," and "Blitz." These words typically retain their original German meanings or are used metaphorically to convey the same senses in English.
Their adoption reflects the historical and linguistic ties stemming from English’s Germanic roots and later cultural borrowings. The author's use of German words in their English conversations is a testament to this rich cultural exchange and the enduring connection between the two languages.
- The author's unique lifestyle in the Kiez of Berlin has led them to incorporate German words into their English conversations, such as using "Geht" and "Geht nicht" when discussing logistics with their spouse.
- The author's use of the German word "Quatsch" has extended beyond its primary meaning of "nonsense" or "bollocks," and is now used in English as well, often to express disagreement or silliness.
- When describing the author's new home in Berlin, they cannot bring themselves to refer to the Kiez as just a "neighborhood" or "area," instead using the term to reflect the strong sense of community and local identity it holds.
- The author's immersion in the German language has not only led to a fondness for specific words like "Quatsch" and "Mensch," but has also influenced their English vocabulary, with words like "Wanderlust" and "Kindergarten" being commonly adopted from German into English.
