A. Unemployment

• Issue: Although less severe than in other countries, unemployment—Arbeitslosigkeit—remains a concern in Germany.

• Economic Impact: Unemployment leads to significant state expenses for supporting the jobless, often resulting in widespread poverty and homelessness.

• Charitable Organizations: Numerous charitable groups work to address and reduce unemployment in Germany.

Turning Adjectives into Nouns in German

• Process: Adjectives can be transformed into nouns by capitalizing them, for example, arbeitslos (unemployed) becomes der Arbeitslose (an unemployed person).

• Examples:

  • arm (poor) > der Arme (the poor man)

  • groß (big, great) > der Große (the great/the great one)

Historical Insight: Friedrich der Große

• Who: Friedrich der Große, or Frederick the Great, was King of Prussia from 1740 to 1786, also known as Der Alte Fritz (Old Fritz).

• Economic Contributions: He initiated the construction of canals, which boosted trade and created jobs.

• Agricultural Expansion: He expanded his kingdom by cultivating waste lands and introducing turnips and potatoes—Kartoffeln—as key food crops.

• Industrial Development: Although less successful in developing porcelain and silk—Seide—industries, he created jobs through the production of weapons and clothing—Kleider—for his large army.

Vocabulary for Unemployment 

• Unemployment - Arbeitslosigkeit

• Unemployed person - der/die Arbeitslose

• Jobless - arbeitslos

• Employment - Beschäftigung

• To lose a job - den Job verlieren

• Job search - Jobsuche

• Job application - Bewerbung

• Job interview - Vorstellungsgespräch

• Job offer - Stellenangebot

• Job market - Arbeitsmarkt

• Social benefits - Sozialleistungen

• Poverty - Armut

• Homelessness - Obdachlosigkeit

• Charitable organization - Wohltätigkeitsorganisation

• Economic problem - wirtschaftliches Problem

• Support - Unterstützung

• State expenses - Staatsausgaben

B. Homelessness 

Connection to Poverty and Unemployment

• Mass poverty often arises as a direct result of unemployment, which can lead to Obdachlosigkeit (homelessness). 

• When people lose their jobs and lack the means to support themselves, they may find it increasingly difficult to afford housing, ultimately becoming homeless. 

• The cycle of poverty and homelessness is a significant social issue that impacts many individuals and families in Germany.

Understanding the Term 'Obdachlos'

• The German word obdachlos is a combination of Dach (which means "roof") and -los (which translates to "-less"). 

• This term vividly captures the plight of the homeless, who are literally "roof-less," or without shelter. 

• This linguistic connection can make it easier to remember the term when discussing homelessness in German.

Role of Soup Kitchens

• In many German cities, Suppenküchen (soup kitchens) play a vital role in supporting homeless individuals. 

• These establishments are often run by volunteers who dedicate their time to preparing and distributing free meals to those in need. 

• Soup kitchens provide more than just food; they offer a sense of community and a place of refuge for the homeless.

Vocabulary for Homelessness 

• Homelessness - Obdachlosigkeit

• Homeless person - der/die Obdachlose

• Roof - Dach (m)

• Roof-less - obdachlos

• Soup kitchen - Suppenküche (f)

• Volunteer - Freiwilliger/Freiwillige

• Free food - kostenloses Essen

• Charity - Wohltätigkeit

• To deal with a problem - ein Problem angehen

• Mass poverty - Massenarmut

• Temporary shelter - Notunterkunft (f)

• Affordable housing - bezahlbarer Wohnraum

• Social issue - soziales Problem

• Community support - Gemeinschaftshilfe

• Stability - Stabilität

C. Dying on the Streets

The Homeless

• Living on the streets can be extremely dangerous for die Obdachlosen (the homeless). They face numerous challenges that put their safety and well-being at risk. Some of the major issues they encounter include:

  • Exposure to Harsh Weather: Without proper shelter, homeless individuals are vulnerable to extreme weather conditions, such as cold winters or scorching summers.

  • Health Risks: The lack of access to healthcare, clean water, and sanitation increases the risk of illness and infection.

  • Violence and Crime: Homeless people are often targets of violence, theft, and other forms of crime, making their situation even more precarious.

  • Lack of Basic Needs: Access to food, clean water, and hygiene facilities is often limited, leading to malnutrition and poor health.

  • Social Isolation: Homeless individuals may experience severe social isolation, which can negatively impact their mental health and well-being.

Vocabulary for Dying on the Streets 

• Dangerous - gefährlich

• Exposure - Ausgesetztsein

• Harsh weather - raues Wetter

• Health risks - Gesundheitsrisiken

• Lack of access - fehlender Zugang

• Healthcare - Gesundheitsversorgung

• Clean water - sauberes Wasser

• Sanitation - Sanitärversorgung

• Illness - Krankheit

• Violence - Gewalt

• Crime - Kriminalität

• Theft - Diebstahl

• Basic needs - Grundbedürfnisse

• Hygiene facilities - Hygieneeinrichtungen

• Malnutrition - Unterernährung

• Social isolation - soziale Isolation

• Mental health - psychische Gesundheit

• Well-being - Wohlbefinden

D. Crime

Stealing

• Crime and criminal activities are issues that impact villages, towns, and cities globally, including in Germany. 

• The formal German word for "to steal" is stehlen. However, in everyday language, many people prefer to use the informal term klauen. This regular verb is often used to describe minor thefts, akin to saying "to nick" in English. 

  • For example, sie haben die Schmuckstücke geklaut means "they nicked the jewellery."

Vocabulary for Crime 

• Crime - Kriminalität

• Criminal activities - kriminelle Aktivitäten

• To steal (formal) - stehlen

• To nick (informal) - klauen

• Thief - der Dieb/die Diebin

• Jewellery - die Schmuckstücke

• Villages - Dörfer

• Towns - Städte

• Cities - Großstädte

• Theft - Der Diebstahl

• Criminal - der Verbrecher/die Verbrecherin

• To commit a crime - ein Verbrechen begehen

• Law enforcement - Gesetzesvollzug

• Victim - das Opfer

• Safety - Sicherheit

• Justice - Gerechtigkeit

E. Alcohol and Drug Abuse 

• The abuse of drugs and alcohol is a serious social issue that raises concerns in many communities, not only in German-speaking countries but also worldwide.

• These substances can have devastating effects on individuals, families, and society at large.

Youth Protection Act

• Legal Framework: The Jugendschutzgesetz is the law that governs the legal age for alcohol consumption in Germany. It sets clear guidelines on when and under what circumstances teenagers are allowed (erlaubt) to buy and consume alcohol.

• Alcohol Consumption by Age:

  • Age 16 and Over: Teenagers can legally buy and consume beer and wine starting at age 16. However, they must wait until they are 18 to purchase or drink stronger alcoholic beverages.

  • Age 14 and Over with Parental Supervision: Teenagers aged 14 or older are allowed to drink beer and wine if accompanied by their parents (in Begleitung der Eltern), but they are prohibited (verboten) from buying it themselves.

Alcohol Consumption Rules by Age Group

Vocabulary for Alcohol and Drug Abuse 

• Drug abuse - Drogenmissbrauch

• Alcohol abuse - Alkoholmissbrauch

• Serious social issue - ernstes soziales Problem

• Community - Gemeinschaft

• Jugendschutzgesetz - Youth Protection Act

• Allowed - erlaubt

• Forbidden - verboten

• To buy - kaufen

• To consume - konsumieren

• Parents - Eltern

• Parental supervision - elterliche Aufsicht

• Beer - Bier

• Wine - Wein

• Sparkling wine - Sekt

• Mixed drinks - Mix-Getränke

• Spirits - Spirituosen

• Teenager - Jugendlicher/Jugendliche

• Age limit - Altersgrenze

• Law - Gesetz

F. Charities and Organizations 

• Numerous Wohltätigkeitsorganisationen (charities) and projects in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland are dedicated to addressing the challenges associated with unemployment and homelessness. These organizations work tirelessly to provide support and resources to those in need.

Ways to Help

• Donations: Many people want to help but are unsure how to do so. One simple way to contribute is by making Spenden (donations) in the form of Kleidung (clothing). Without warm clothes, homeless individuals are at risk of freezing to death while living on the streets (sie können erfrieren).

• Food Assistance: Homeless people often lack the financial means to buy food (sie haben kein Geld), leading to hunger (sie haben Hunger) and malnutrition. This lack of basic nutrients makes it difficult for their bodies to heal from wounds or injuries, leading to further health complications. Donating leftover food to homeless shelters is an easy and effective way to support these charities.

• Emergency Services: Another valuable service provided by charities is the Kältebus, a vehicle that offers transportation and shelter to those who require emergency accommodation (Notübernachtung). This service is crucial in helping homeless individuals find a safe place to stay during extreme weather conditions.

Vocabulary for Charities and Organizations 

• Charity - Wohltätigkeitsorganisation

• Project - Projekt

• Unemployment - Arbeitslosigkeit

• Homelessness - Obdachlosigkeit

• Donation - Spende

• Clothing - Kleidung

• To freeze to death - erfrieren

• Money - Geld

• To be hungry - Hunger haben

• Nutrients - Nährstoffe

• Wounds - Wunden

• Injury - Verletzung

• To heal - heilen

• Leftover food - übrig gebliebenes Essen

• Homeless shelter - Obdachlosenheim

• Kältebus - Kältebus

• Emergency accommodation - Notübernachtung

• Support - Unterstützung

• Resources - Ressourcen

G. Magazines 

• Many German cities have their own magazines that are both written and sold by homeless individuals, similar to the Big Issue in the UK. These magazines provide a platform for homeless people to earn an income and share their stories.

Notable Magazines

• Hinz und Kunzt: This well-known magazine is based in Hamburg and is a popular publication within the city.

• Motz: In Berlin, homeless people produce and sell Motz, which also enjoys wide readership.

• Augustin: In Vienna, the newspaper known as Augustin is published every two weeks and sells approximately 27,000 to 30,000 copies per issue. This publication has become a vital source of income for many homeless individuals in the city.

Vocabulary for Magazines in German

• Magazine - Zeitschrift

• Newspaper - Zeitung

• Homeless person - der/die Obdachlose

• To write - schreiben

• To sell - verkaufen

• Copy - Exemplar

• Fortnightly - zweiwöchentlich

• Income - Einkommen

• Platform - Plattform

• Well-known - bekannt

• City - Stadt

• Reader/Readership - Leser/Leserschaft