Kapitel 2 Kultur

While the quirks of Deutsch Kultur may seem odd to Americans, I actually find them quite interesting and smart. I do admit it would be creepy to have an elderly person watch me from their apartment or having staring contests with random strangers. I, like many Germans, have bad habit of constantly complaining about things. Many people find it annoying but I only do it as a form of venting; a way of making myself feel better about what's going on. Such as the "Art of Complaining" article said, complaining is a way of pointing out what needs to be improved and is a way flat out saying the truth. This was another thing I found I liked about the Deutsch Kultur. They are matter-of-fact about things and the quote "Bluntness saves time." which has stuck with me since my 11th grade English class, pops into my head now. I do not see why for only the sake of politeness people do not just say what they mean. For these reasons I think Germans have many things right, except the "widespread belief that all Americans eat burgers all the time -- and that they all carry guns".

Kapitel 2 Kultur

I liked reading these articles particularly because I can relate them back to a German woman I worked with a few years ago while she spent a year in America. Most of these personality quirks of hers I had never thought of as being part of German culture, but rather, just how she was. The statistics thing, for instance, I thought was maybe a trait unique to her. I had no idea her encyclopedia-like knowledge was something that spanned the German culture. I had also noticed she complained a lot, but again, I thought that might just be her personality. One thing I do remember her saying to me, that is consistent with the articles, is that when she invited me to come stay with her and her family in German, she told me she really meant it. She told me German invitations were not like American invitations; that they're honest and are only extended if they mean something. Maybe I'll have to take her up on that offer.

Kapitel 2 Kultur

What I found most interesting about these readings was the bluntness that is a part of the German language. In the English language, nothing is truly taken at face value. We never really say exactly what we mean due to the fear of being impolite. So, it is fascinating that in the Germanic language, it would be almost rude to not say exactly what you feel. I also thought that it was a little funny that you would have to explain in depth your answer and possibly even have to debate it. I guess that this way of life ties into Germany's obsession with statistics. The absence of white lies in the German culture is definitely a major difference between German and English.
I thought that the article about complaining in Germany was a little lame. I feel as though everyone complains everywhere. American life is filled with complaining about everyday things. The amount of complaining here has even brought about the saying "first world problems." Like in Germany, we don't have much to complain about so we pick out little things just for the sake of complaining. Therefore, I don't think that Germany is all that different than anywhere else in those regards.
The last article about the staring in Germany is a little creepy. I guess that it does make sense that because of the Cold War, the older generations do have a tendency to stare and record everyones' daily lives. I would definitely not be comfortable with that though. I did like the part in which it said that if people stared in New York like they do in Germany, they would end up getting punched. I thought that was pretty fun. Overall though, I am glad that staring as a pastime is fading out in Germany by the younger generations.

Kapital 2 Kultur

I found it interesting to learn about the difference in attitudes between us and the Germans.  What is acceptable in one culture may not be in another.  I would say that the German culture is not as “politically  correct” as our culture is, (for example Germans will call you mollig right to your face, while in America, we say that the person is under stress or overweight).  The Germans get straight to the point, always telling the truth, which is something I kind of admire.

One thing that I don’t understand about the Germans, yet I already knew about, was the whining in their country.  They say that “It ain’t what it use to be,” or “the country’s going to hell,” yet in reality Germany is doing really well.  After 12 years of Nazi control involving death and destruction throughout the land, as well as the occupation of East Germany by the Soviets throughout much of the latter 20^th century, Germany has come back strong as ever.  Currently they are the 4^th largest country when it comes to economy based on G.D.P., and with a pro-growth agenda they are only getting stronger.  If the Germans want to complain, they should complain about the other countries in the European Union and those countries’ unwillingness to take care of themselves.

Kapitel 2 Kultur

These articles were surprisingly interesting to read. I don't get why the Germans complain so much. Their country is doing well (considering how badly other countries in Europe are doing) and it seems like Germany's government gets things done, unlike here. I think they should really lighten up and see the positives of their country (especially since if I visit Germany, I don't want to listen to people complain all the time).
I like the German honesty in conversations. It seems like what they would say to people there would be rude but its not. I wish here you could say you don't like the food and not offend the person or get in trouble for it. I hated having to lie when I didn't want certain food in order to not offend the person.
What's up with the Germans and staring?!? Do they really need to watch someone or see what they are doing all the time? I get maybe glancing over at someone for a second or look out the window for a moment to see what is going on outside but to stare at someone for awhile seems weird.
The statistics article was neat to read. I didn't realize that Germans are obsessed with stats. It is a good way to learn about other places but it seems like asking "How many square kilometers is your city of country?" would really put someone on the spot. I don't think many people in the US know the answer to that question. I really want to fly over to Germany now to test this statement, "To be fair, Germans are totally on top of their own statistics" and see if Germans truly are on top of their own statistics because I have my doubts.

Kultur 2

It was interesting to hear about the honesty of the Germans in casual conversation. Speaking that way would be considered very rude here.  I wondered why we learned the word mollig to describes someone in class, because it seemed like there would never be a time to use it.  But it appears that Germans would not have a problem describing someone that way.  I wonder if the people at the receiving end of these kinds of descriptions get upset.  Or does this eliminate bullying, because there is nothing a bully would say that anyone else would not?
I liked the idea of being able to tell people that you don't want a particular food because you don't like it. I often get into trouble at dessert time because I don't really eat sweets.  A friend's mom loves baking and every time I went over, she insisted that I eat the pie or cake she made for dessert.  I had to pretend to enjoy them all so as not to offend her, but this would not have been an issue in Germany.
The other thing that I found interesting was the willingness, or even desire, to describe medical issues or pains.  In America, people hide this type of issue from one another.  It is seen as making excuses to discuss pains.
Complaining was something that I had already heard about.  There is a lot of tourism in Berlin, which is great for their economy.  But the people who live in the city complain about them, some places have signs saying things like, "Tourists go home" and "Sorry, no entry for hipsters from the U.S."  This article goes into more detail: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/17/us-germany-berlin-tourists-idUSBRE88C0ZT20120917

Matthäus-Passion

This week, while working on an essay, I did what I usually do when I work on large essays: listen to baroque music. I am classically trained in baroque harpsichord and organ, so it's more easier for me to enjoy listening to than modern music. Sometimes I listen to Beethoven's symphonies (even though he is technically early Romantic era, I listen to his symphonies for sheer pleasure and... because they last quite a while on average, so I only need to queue up one or two for each essay session). This week I listened primarily to the works of Bach- my all time favorite composer. Bach (known to many non-musicians as the composer of "that Halloween organ song") was the cantor of the Thomaskirche in Liepzig from 1723-1750. In his life time, Bach composed over 1.000 known compositions- many of his compositions are believed to be lost, mainly because they were disposed of before Bach became a pretty big deal (long after his death, well into the 19th century). I listened to two of Bach's major works while writing my paper: the Matthäus-Passion (St. Matthew's Passion) and the h-mol-Messe (Mass in B minor). The Matthäus Passion is in Deutsch, whereas the h-mol-Messe is in Latin. 

I also took the time to listen to Georg Friederich Händel's (known by many for perhaps his most famous work, the soaring "Hallelujah!" chorus from his oratorio "Messiah") 5th Orgelkonzerte (Organ Concerto), which I would recommend listening to (my favorite part, performed by Karl Richter- arguably one of the greatest interpreters of Bach and Händel to ever live, can be found here). I would say it is a perfect example of baroque at its finest. In order to prevent me from droning on about baroque music, I figure I will simply embed part 1 of 2 of the Matthäus Passion- under Karl Richter's expert hand. Happy watching! 

I may be a member of the Michigan Marching Band, but counterpoint (the main element behind baroque music) is my main area of musical expertise. Unfortunately, it's an area of expertise for a relatively small number of people. So, if anyone has any questions about baroque music in general, or a specific aspect, I would be ecstatic to answer it. 

Some other recommended listening:

-Die Passacaglia un Fuge in c-Moll (Bach)

-Die Goldberg-Variationen (Bach- in my opinion, his greatest single work)

-Die Brandenburgischen Konzerte (Bach)

-Die Wassermusik (Händel)

Honestly, the list for Bach would be incredibly long if I were to post his greatest works... regardless, enjoy! May they help you get through an essay as well!

ADM1

For my first ADM assignment I listened to German music! (musik) I listened to Bakkushan - Baby, Du Siehst Gut Aus. which I know from previous knowledge might mean something like you look good? The band was founded by songwriter Daniel Schmidt, and some of his classmates from Germany's biggest University of musik, "Popakademie BadenWütternberg."

I also listened to Die Prinzen- Millionär
 Which is one of Deutchlands top selling pop bands I thought the video was really entertaining and funny. I learn the word "Geld" which they kept repeating and that means money. I also heard the accusative keine.

Struwwelpeter

     Arguably one of the greatest Dwight moments in the history of The Office is the Struwwelpeter moment. For the longest time Struwwelpeter was my favorite word and I had no clue what it meant. Let's see if you love it as much as I did (if this video works, I'm so sorry if it doesn't!)

Klicken Sie hier and go to 0:53

     Or maybe you have seen a modified version of Struwwelpeter on Family Guy?

     Anyhow, Struwwelpeter, he's hilarious, richtig?

     FALSCH.

     I wasn't suprised to discover that Struwwelpeter was a horrifying character popularized by cautionary tales but still, it's rather shocking that parents actually used to tell their kids about him. 

     During my research of Struwwelpeter I was reminded of what I already knew about punishment in Germany.
     When I went to Rothenburg ob der Tauber last summer I paid a visit to the Rothenburg Crime Museum. Most of what I saw was amusing because it reinforced stereotypes I held about German people and their obscene punishments for trivial things. Here were some of my favorites:

• A device which locked a victims feet in place, permitting passerbys to tickle them.
• Silly, and rather scary, shame masks

           and perhaps best of all...

• Detailed dioramas of how punishment was to be executed at school:

I'm not joking, the dolls are actually set up like this.

This one's my favorite. Let's zoom in for a closer look, ja?

Zeigen Sie das Kind im Knast!!

     So anyways, going into my research I had this conception that Germans were hilariously cruel. I suppose it's a matter of perception but I proved myself right. Unfortunately it's also a bit heartbreaking.

     Struwwelpeter is a book of cautionary tales written for children in 1845 by Heinrech Hoffmann. The tale popularized by The Office and Family Guy was the story of Little Suck-a-Thumb. Basically it's the story of a boy, let's call him Little Suck-a-Thumb, who likes to suck his thumb. His mother must go out on errands but first she says "Don't suck your thumbs when I'm gone or else someone will cut them off and that'd be horrible." But Little Suck-a-Thumb sucks his thumb anyways and a man comes in his house and cuts off his thumbs. Then Little Suck-a-Thumb's mother comes home and says "Too bad so sad, I knew you couldn't do it."

     Obviously this is meant to discourage thumb sucking. The whole book is meant to discourage bad behavior. And what a great idea, right? To learn what is wrong and right through a book entitled "Lustige Geschichten und drollige Bilder mit 15 schön kolorierten Tafeln für Kinder von 3–6 Jahren" (or "Funny Stories and Whimsical Pictures with 15 Beautifully Coloured Panels for Children Aged 3 to 6"). I suppose that some people react like me and think it's just hilarious but I'm sure a child in 19th century Germany wouldn't be too ecstatic about some of the stories I just read (in the English translation. You can too here.):

• Der Struwwelpeter: The boy that never washed his hair or cut his nails...he had no friends
• Die gar traurige Geschichte mit dem Feuerzeug: The story of a girl who thought matches were beautiful. Even though her mother told her not to touch them, else she'd be burned, she did anyways...and then burned to death.
• Die Geschichte vom Suppen-Kaspar: The story of a mollig boy who is spoiled and won't eat his soup. For four days he continues his hunger strike getting thinner and thinner...eventually starving to death on the fifth day.
• Die Geschichte von Hans Guck-in-die-Luft: The story of a boy that likes to look in the sky when he walks around.Eventually he falls into a pond...and gets teased by fish because he ruined his notebook
• Die Geschichte vom fliegenden Robert: The story of a boy who is warned not to go out when the weather is bad but he does anyway and flies away...never to be seen again

     Okay, some of these are a little silly, right? It's just hard to imagine a parent saying to a child "Don't do this. You'll die a painful death". Maybe some German families handled punishment in different ways but those with a copy of Struwwelpeter better beware. 

  

     Want to see a really creepy adaptation of Little Sucks-a-Thumb? Klicken Sie hier! 

      Warning: This is a little bit unsettling. I don't wish to be responsible for einen Albtraum!

AMD 1

Wie ist deine Wochenende? Ich habe ein wundervolles Wochenende.
Ich sehe ein alt italienischer Film called "life is beautiful". Es heißt "Das Leben ist schön" in Deutsch (Mein Lieblingswort ist schön). Ich habe whatched den Film für vierten Mal, aber zum ersten Mal in Deustch. Ich habe der Vater, die Mutter und der jung Sohn sehr gern. Ich weine, wenn ich sehe das Film. Sie leben sehr gute bevor sie gehen in das Konzentrationslager. Die Mutter bleibt nicht und geht mit der Mann Guido und der Sohn Giosuè. Der Vater schützt seine Frau und Sohn, aber stirbt am Ende.

I will give it 9.5 if there's a scale from 0-10. Their love and their desire for protecting their families are so moving.

Gute nacht!

AMD1

 Donnerstag Abend I went to see Europa Europa at the Michigan Theater with a few friends from German Club. Check it out on IMDB! I was able to understand what was being said in the movie thanks to subtitles, but in the end I actually ended up forgetting it was a foreign film! Over all I found it to be quite an interesting movie; most Holocaust movies being completely from a Jewish perspective and this one being a bit more behind the German lines. It was also a little humorous, which is strange to admit since it deals with the Holocaust. On a scale to 1-10 and based on other Holocaust movies, I would give this one an 8. German club over all has been fun, though I am a bit worried since only one other person is 101. Regardless it's great exposure to other speakers and the culture!

AMD 1 Chris Haughey

For my AMD 1, I watched a film called The Wave. It is a modern German film that deals with the ideas of autocracy and manipulation. I had subtitles on of course. The plot of the story is fascinating. Students at a high school have to do a project, so they choose to do theirs on Autocracy because the teacher for the class is very popular. On the first day, the students tell the teacher, Rainer Wenger, that German is far beyond having an autocratic leader. Wenger then begins an experiment to prove this statement wrong. He redoes all the seating in the room so that high achieving students sit next to low achieving ones. Rainer makes all the students address him as Mr. Wenger and they must all stand when they want to speak and only say short, well-thoughtout statements. Soon, the class becomes much closer. Grades improve and even the bully of the class begins defending the weak against other bullies. A trouble teen, Tim, begins to truly love the group, now called The Wave, because he is usually a loner and now has a group to belong to. The Wave begins to wear matching clothing and only hangout together. They march together and begin spray-painting their logo everywhere. By the end of the week, The Wave gets into a huge fight with other students at a water polo game. After that incident, Rainer has an assembly with all the Wave participants and shows them that autocracy is very much possible in Germany just as they became part of a fascist group themselves. Some argue that The Wave was very beneficial. Rainer agrees, but states that the pros do not outweigh the cons at all. Tim, the troubled teen, then stands up and pulls out a gun, claiming that he will not return to being a loner. Bomber, the boy who used to be the bully tries to take the gun away. Tim shoots Bomber and then takes his own life. The movie ends with Rainer being arrested.
I thought that the movie was awesome. I also actually understood a lot of it. It was also cool to see kids my age speaking in German, which allowed me to pick up on normal, everyday talk. I needed the subtitles, but I felt as though I was still understanding the movie without them.

AMD 1

Since I was home for the weekend, I was able to watch some of my dad's World War 2 movies. I watched "The Longest Day" where each nationality spoke their language (germans spoke german, french spoke french). It had subtitles in english so I could still understand what the characters were saying. Obviously the french went right over my head but I managed to pick out some words in german that I knew. I maybe only understood 5-10% of the german in the movie, but when I was able to pick a word out I feel so accomplished and happy. I want to rewatch the movie at the end of the year and see how much more I understand.

AMD1

Last Mittwoch, some friends and I went to the Heidelberg downtown and I made a point to look for aspects of German culture.  The windows inside are made of stained glass with names of German cities and a picture of something about that city included in each.  The architecture features lots of dark wood reminiscent of the half-timbered buildings from Medieval times, those which we typically associate with German buildings.  There are also other artifacts including a collection of beer steins.
My favorite beer there is the Weihenstephaner Heffeweissbier, which I now know means yeast wheat beer of Weihnstephan Brewery. Weihenstephan is the oldest continuously operating brewery in the world.  They are able to trace their history to the Weihestephan Abbey where the monks began brewing beer in 768 ad.  They were licensed by the city of Freising in 1040 ad and have been brewing continuously since.  When Napoleon Bonaparte conquered the area in 1803, he transferred the brewery form the monastery to Bayern.  It is now a state run company operated as a commercial brewery and learning center for a university in Munich.
Beir is served there in boots, or Bierstiefel as they are called in Germany (not das Boot).  To toast in German, the word is Prost, which literally means "may it be for you" or "may it benefit you".  According to the bartender, eye contact is very important when toasting in Germany.
I look forward to going to Germany and see how the experience compares.

AMD1

Well I decided to Skype one of my friends in Germany who lives in Bavaria at the moment. It was really interesting to speak with her because I could somewhat hold a friendly conversation. At one point i said the word "Servus!" and she told me "gut gut." She said my vocabulary was well and that it is good that they are teaching us different expressions from different towns in the regions. I also liked that she corrected my pronunciation and it gave me a chance to speak to someone one on one who knows the language well enough to correct me. I like this activity cause I learned about the culture and what teenagers do for fun over in Germany. Even though what they do isn't much different they seem to enjoy life a lot more.

AMD1

I found it very interesting, and when I say interesting I really mean funny, to hear "South Park" in German.  For the assignment, I watched the episode, "The Jeffersons" or "Die Jeffersons" in which Michael Jackson comes to South Park.  It was fun to hear the difference in the voices of the boys compared to the original English version.  It was also funny to get the German perspective of Michael Jackson.  The best part of course was hearing that classic line, "Oh mein Gott sie Kenny getötet!  Sie swine!" (instead of Oh my God, they killed Kenny!  You bastards!"

All in all it just goes to show you how one great show, no matter what country it is set in, can make the whole world laugh.

Kapitel 1

The article explains how German American culture is today. How the German's synchronized into American Society. German Ancestry is the most proclaimed identity in the United states. If we look at America now we can see various examples of German culture such as churches established by the German people and traditions such as Groundhog Day, there are also breweries, beer gardens, and theater groups all over the country.  Alike, Americans accepted the German culture, Germans accepted the English language, German now has a mixture and various similarities between English and German words. Every day German words became mixed with English sounds and words, such as "kindergarten" "fooBball".  The article basically emphasizes the influence both German and American Culture had on one another.

Mein Lieblingswort auf Deutsch ist gemütlich!

Kapital 1

                I found the article as a whole quite interesting.  It seems that German-Americans have assimilated into the American way of life, better than any other major ethnic-group.  Many of them learned English fairly quick and yet after time, their knowledge of the German language began to fade.  The assimilation into American culture progressed rapidly due to the negative consequences of the First World War.  I am not for sure, but I have been told that before the war, Harner use to be Heiner.

                Yet many German’s continued to hold on to their roots and introduce them into American culture.  Foods such as pretzels, hamburgers, and sausage made their way to American cuisines.  Known for a good work ethic, many German intellects brought their knowledge to America and helped create some of the country’s most crowning achievements, such as the atomic bomb and NASA. 

Kapitel 1

      I thought it was interesting when I was reading to draw parallels between German culture and the German language.  Katy mentioned in class that the German language is more welcome to outside words than a language such as French, which is why there are German words like “orange” and “ipod.”  I think that this phenomenon could also extend to culture, which is why German culture in America is less of a sub-culture and more mainstream—it is more willing to adapt and incorporate other influences that other cultures might be. 

            In turn, I feel Americans are more welcoming to cultures that are willing to adapt than those that are not, which is another reason why German culture can be seen so clearly in the mainstream.  Americans are similar to Germans in that they pull from other cultures to create their identities, which makes a blend between German and American very natural feeling.

Mein Lieblingswort ist Overheadprojektor

Kapitel 1 Kultur

     The article I read from the Max Kade institute made me reevaluate my own German heritage and how it's been absent from my life. I am of German and Polish heritage. My mother's family was as Polish as Polish could be. My father's family...well they're a little more American. As a child, I remember nearly nothing "German" from my father's side of the family. I think one time we had German potato salad? Or maybe it was Americanized. I definitely told people I was German:

The first day of school every single year: "Kotlzer? Koller? Kollzer? Kolser?"

Me: "It's pronounced 'Kelzer' actually. It's German. Silent 'O'. Whatever."

     My mother was proud of her heritage and still finds nearly any Polish joke funny, but she seemed fine with raising an All-American family until she realized my family had virtually no traditions. Well, we had traditions like waffles on Sundays or summer camping trips, but nothing that connected to our heritage.
One year my mom had the best idea ever: Gingerbread Houses. How German is that, right? German enough. So every year the day after Thanksgiving our house smells spectacular. We knead the dough while my mom carefully plays architect. Each year a member of my family chooses a house design to make. We've done everything from classic elf houses to Dorthy's house in the land of Oz. We constructed Neuschwanstein castle (right) last year! My mother and I visited the castle when we were in Europe last summer. The trip to Europe made us realize how awesome Germany really is. I wish that we had hung onto more of our culture but I think gingerbread is a gut stand-in for now.
     Anyways, my mom decided to share this brand new tradition with all of my German cousins. All 30 of them to be exact. Every year dozens of my cousins are awed by my family's masterful creation and then try to immiate with their own miniature house. Usually it just ends up being globs of frosting and candy canes, but sometimes you get a standout like Santa getting eaten alive by gummy worms.
So, in attempts to try to tie this all together...
Gingerbread is awesome by itself. But for me it's more than that. I'm so thankful for it. I know that sounds weird but really, without it, I'd hardly even feel German.

Kultur 1

I appreciate a lot of the food and drink brought to America by German immigrants.  Among my favorites are the bratwurst and heffeweisen.  Sauerkraut could have stayed back in Europe.
It is interesting to see the two waves of German words that entered English.  The first wave being the origins of English.  Before the Norman Conqests in 1066, Old English had little Latin or French influence.   After 1066, German had little influence on the language until modern times, when a new wave of word exchange began between the two languages, bringing words like kindergarten and pretzel.
The meaning and controversy associated with Bambi was new to me.  I did not realize that it was initially an allegory alluding to the threat to Jews in Europe.  That is especially interesting considering some of the rumors regarding Walt Disney's feelings on the matter.
Smaller, American versions of Oktoberfest are additional great imports to American culture.  The season is fast approaching.  I hope to make it to the real thing sometime.

Kultur 1 Assignment

Kultur 1 Assignment                                                                                             Chelsey Lang 9-12-12

     Right from the beginning the How German is American article caught my attention. Many relatives on my father's side of the family have wondered if we've come from German descent. My last name Lang at one point very well could have had an "e" at the end, that was dropped during World War 1. Unfortunately no one has been able to trace my family's ancestry back far enough.
     Even though I did not make it through the whole article, the impression I got from it was how willing German immigrants were to embrace the American idea of freedom. While they did hang on to some of their roots they tried new things that they wouldn't be able to in Europe such as different religions. They also brought with them change for the better; supporting reform and improvement and even creating winning gymnastic teams. While German ancestry may not be so apparent now days it still has played an important role in America.
      In our book I found the Kultur segments to be very informative and helpful. I think it is not only good to be able to learn German, but also to be able to use it in the right context as native Germans do.

Kapitel 1 Ian Stevens

Dieser Artikel ist sehr interessant!  Es hat viele information uber Deutsche-Amerikaner und Amerikanerin. Ich auch hat ein Deutsche Hintergrund. Die information von Kultur-Text ist nicht so interessant aber Ich verstehe viele  Worte. Mein Oma und Opa kommt aus Deutschland mit keine geld. Alpena hat viele person aus Deutschland.

Where I come from a majority of the people are german or come from an area around Germany. Like it said in the article The midwest was a hotbed for activity in the late 1800's and into the 1900's. For example if you go to Gaylord its themed after an old Bavarian city. How can you leave out the Oscar Meyer wiener mobile I doubt there is any other car quite as unique with a german background like it has.

Kapitel 1

While studying American history, I learned that when German and Irish immigrants came to the United States, both groups were heavily persecuted.  The Irish, however, remained in eastern cities while the Germans moved to the open country to farm, as the map in the readings showed.  Their escape from the persecution in the east is probably why they were able to practice German traditions without having a "Little Germany". This is unlike the Irish, who created Irish sectors of cities, in which they always remained.  I also found it interesting how the Germans created physical programs in western cities, such as the Turner program. Even more intriguing was how these organizations helped to created liberal and secular roots in the western cities, such as Milwaukee.  The Germans were also friendly and fascinated with the American Indians. I never knew that the Germans even got along with Indians before reading this. It is a shame, however, that the two World Wars and time has erased much of the German culture that used to flourish, especially since I am almost completely German. Hopefully, a resurgence of German culture will occur soon.

Kapitel 1 Kulture-texte

Around where I live there is a lot of German influence, however the culture was never as advertised or celebrated as much as other cultures would do. Additionally, since I live in an area like this I knew that there were many German immagrants in the past, but this article helps me make a lot more sense of why these German communities act how they do.

After travelling through Germany on train I also noticed that it seemed very similar in landscape and foliage to the midwest, and it now makes more sense why there is such a German influence here. Furthermore, since the early German settlers were more willing to change their views and beliefs to adapt to the new world, it makes much more sense why the German culture is not as pronounced here in the US as the Irish or other cultures. The German influence on the entire Midwest also became more apparent to me after reading this article. This influence is mostly portrayed in how people in the Midwest seem to be more open-minded and welcoming to other peoples' ideals and beliefs without making as much judgement on others based upon one's ideals. The open-minded and welcoming culture in the Midwest could largely have been influenced by the early German settlers and how willing they were to adapt to the new land and cultures in America, as well as their willingness to change churches. 

Reading this article was more of a slap to the face than anything else.  The histories I've studied revolved around the two world wars; In essence, I was more or less neglectful of information revolving around the more intrinsic elements of American pioneers.  The thirteen colonies, the revolutionary war, the Louisiana purchase... these things come to my mind when I'm thinking about American history.  As pg. 14 suggests, I was more focused on the precedence of English and French colonization.  When I used to hear people telling they had German ancestry, I assumed they were second or third generation immigrants.  As I read more of "How German is American," it became increasingly more difficult to give credence to the fact that I had these enormous gaps in my knowledge about American immigration, almost to the point of embarrassment over my ignorance of Germanic influences.  

Like Kyle said in his post, I'm fairly disappointed to find that German culture has been assimilated by the frontier of New World culture.  However, I find it interesting to realize that there are most definitely hints of German culture still prevalent in modern America, whether it be culinary, artistic or religious.  I'll definitely have to read up on this topic more.  This article should act as a starting point for our exploration into the rather esoteric nature of American-German history.    

I found it interesting how German immigrants moved to the northern states and that they went to forested/wooded areas like those in Europe. Also it was kinda cool to see my dad's side of my family came with the surge of German immigrants in the 1800's. I didn't realize how important land was to immigrants, espically German ones. I wasn't surprised to read that many communites in the US and Canada took up Oktoberfest though. Its disappointing how German culture has slowly faded or been forgotten in America when other nationalitites still hold onto their cultural heritage. Although, I'm sure it didn't help that we fought two world wars with germany and that increased distrust of Germans during the wartime period.

Mein Lieblingswort ist was.

Mein Lieblingswort ist Wiederholen.

Mein Lieblingsausdruck ist "das einzig Warhe"

Mein liebslingwort ist gegessen

Mein Lieblingswort ist tausend

Mein Lieblingswort ist Entschuldigung

Mein Lieblingswort ist Auf Wiedersehen

Mein Lieblingswort ist "fünfzig"

Mein Lieblingswort ist Spaß

Mein Lieblingswort ist wonniglich.

Mein Lieblingswort ist "Wahrheit". 

Mein Lieblingswort ist Fußball.

Mein Leiblingswort ist Schneeball

Mein Leiblingswort ist schneeball.

Mein Lieblingswort ist Elektrizitatswerk.

Mein Lieblingswort ist Schadenfreude!

Willkommen!!

Welcome to our class blog!

We will be using this blog throughout the semester for two kinds of assignments:

1. Once per chapter, the homework plan will direct you to post a response to the culture readings for the chapter on the blog.

2. Roughly every other week, the homework plan will direct you to post here for your Abenteuer mit Deutsch (AMD) assignment. First you do a fun activity that involves German, then you post about it. You should spend an hour total on this (maybe 45-55 minutes doing something, 5-15 minutes posting about it). See Was ist ein AMD, AMD Ideen and Beispiele for ideas. This should get you excited about the kinds of things you can do!

Whenever you post something, please include your name and the name of the assignment (e.g. AMD2, Kultur5) as labels. See "Blog: How To" for more details!