A language for all Germans2
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School
Saint Cloud State University *
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Course
002035
Subject
Linguistics
Date
Feb 20, 2024
Type
Pages
4
Uploaded by CaptainAtomRam35
A language for all Germans Homework for Friday, January 19, 2024 Please submit your homework on D2L prior to class. Before
you
start
reading
, note down your ideas to the question below: 1.
What role does a language play for the citizens of a nation? Language is central to communication, cultural identity, unity, and heritage, and plays a key role in education and governance within a nation. 2.
How would you define a dialect? And what roles do dialects play for their speakers? A dialect is a variation of a language specific to a region or group, characterized by distinct pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. Dialects signify identity, enable cultural expression, and maintain community bonds among speakers. 3.
Please circle Saxony on the map. 4.
Looking at the title “A language for all Germans” what do you expect to read about? From the title "A language for all Germans," I would expect to read about efforts or initiatives aimed at unifying or standardizing the German language across different regions and dialects, possibly discussing linguistic policies, educational reforms, or cultural movements that promote a common language understanding among all German speakers. Reading
: 1. When does Martin Luther (1483-1546) translate the bible? He translates the whole bible in 1534, however a more thorough version of bible was printed between 1534 and 1546. 2. What do you learn about him as a person? What, for example, was his social background? How does that shape his work? Martin Luther was born into a modest mining family, with his father aspiring for him to become a lawyer. However, his life took a spiritual turn leading him to become a monk and later a seminal figure in the Protestant Reformation. His humble origins and deep understanding of common people's language and struggles significantly influenced his work. He aimed to make religious texts, like the Bible, accessible to the general populace, translating it into the vernacular German, thus empowering ordinary people to explore their faith independently of the Church's interpretation. His background and experiences shaped his desire for religious reform and democratization of religious knowledge.
1. What does he achieve with this translation? Martin Luther's translation of the Bible into German was a significant milestone, achieving much more than a mere linguistic feat. By making the sacred texts accessible in the vernacular, he empowered ordinary citizens, fostering a personal and direct connection with religious teachings. This bold move was instrumental in fueling the Protestant Reformation, challenging the centralized authority of the Catholic Church, and laying the groundwork for religious autonomy and pluralism. 2. Why is he at the same time the divider and uniter of Germany? Martin Luther is seen as both a divider and uniter of Germany due to the profound and multifaceted impact of his actions and teachings. On one hand, his leadership in the Protestant Reformation divided Germany religiously and politically, leading to sectarian conflicts and long-
term fragmentation between Catholics and Protestants. On the other hand, Luther united the German people through his translation of the Bible, which helped standardize the German language and foster a shared cultural identity. His influence thus paradoxically contributed to both division and unity, shaping the religious, linguistic, and cultural landscape of Germany. 3. Analyze the bible translations before Luther. What is implied in the claim that German is “simply too poor, too coarse, to convey scriptures”? (Page 100)
Before Luther's translation, German Bible renditions were seen as inferior to the Latin Vulgate, reflecting the era's belief that German lacked the sophistication for theological texts. The claim about German being "too poor, too coarse" highlights this view, underscoring linguistic and cultural biases that favored Latin for scholarly purposes. Luther's translation challenged these notions, proving German's capability to convey complex religious ideas effectively. 4. In the context of your answer to question 3, analyze his translation style. What was the impact of this style? Luther's translation style was direct, vivid, and aimed at resonating with the everyday language of the people. He meticulously worked to ensure that the German used was accessible, yet faithful to the original texts. This approach had a profound impact, as it not only made the scriptures more relatable and understandable to the common folk, enhancing their spiritual engagement, but also significantly contributed to shaping and standardizing the German language. Luther's translation set a linguistic benchmark, influencing subsequent literature and written works, and firmly establishing German as a language capable of expressing complex theological and intellectual concepts.
5.
How did Luther navigate the significant dialect differences within German in his translation? What does he create? Luther skillfully navigated dialect differences by using the Saxon chancellery language as a base, which was widely understood across various German regions. This approach not only ensured broader comprehension but also significantly contributed to the creation of a standardized German language, effectively bridging regional dialects and laying the foundation for modern High German. 6.
How is it important that Luther works in Saxony and not for example in the north of Germany or the south? Luther's location in Saxony, rather than in the north or south of Germany, was significant because Saxony was a cultural and political center, and the Saxon chancellery language was widely understood and respected. This central dialect served as an effective middle ground, making his translation accessible to a broad audience. Working in Saxony allowed Luther to leverage this linguistic influence, ensuring that his translation would become a unifying force, bridging the diverse dialects of Germany, and setting a precedent for a standardized language that would be embraced throughout the nation. 7.
What does Martin Luther achieve with his Bible translation for people in the Holy Roman Empire? Who is his reader? Martin Luther's Bible translation achieved two vital goals for the people in the Holy Roman Empire. First, it made the Bible accessible to the common people, promoting religious literacy and empowering individuals to interpret its teachings. Second, his translation contributed to the standardization of the German language, fostering linguistic unity and mutual understanding among German-speaking communities. His primary readers were ordinary individuals seeking spiritual guidance and understanding. This impact extended beyond Germany, influencing the broader Protestant Reformation in Europe. A language for all Germans –
Martin Luther –
What kind of German are we talking about? Analyze these words created by Luther. What do they have in common? German Literal translation English Herzenslust Herz: heart; Lust one’s heart’s content
Feuereifer Feuer: fire; Eifer: enthusiasm zest, zeal wetterwendisch Wetter: weather; wenden: to turn inconsistent, not reliable Langmut Lang: long; Mut: courage patience Wissensdurst Wissen: knowledge; durst: thirst curiosity Gewissensbisse Gewissen: conscience, Biß: bite Remorse; guilty conscience
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After analyzing the German words created by Luther, we can see that Luther has used some of his American influence infused with German words, some literally while some metaphorically.