Alien words are now verboten
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.GERMANY'S MOST popular newspaper, Bild Zeitung, appeared on the newsstands yesterday with an unusual apology on its front page. There might be a few cock-ups, it warned, because of new spelling rules.
These are pioneering days in the German media. Since yesterday, there are fewer opportunities for commas in the printed language of Goethe, "Sexappeal" has been banished to the list of verboten alien words and ketchup has been enriched with an "s" in the middle.
After a century of scholarly disputes, and three years of legal battles and petitions, the new spelling rules have finally made it into print. About 100 old regulations have been discarded, although the number of exceptions has increased.
Otherwise, students of German will be relieved to learn, the familiar oddities of the language have survived the reforms. Nouns still begin with a capital letter, the verb in convoluted sentences will remain at the very end, and the gender rules have been only slightly simplified. Dogs will stay male, cats female, and girls neuter.
Nevertheless, the new regime has been hotly contested. Writers, led by Gunter Grass, have vowed to resist to the bitter end, and total confusion reigns in the Land of Schleswig-Holstein, where voters have rejected the rules in a referendum. Elsewhere, schools are teaching both systems.
Leading article,
Review, page 3
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments