German Culture, Language, and Daily Life

Plattenbau

• A type of building, literally meaning "slate of building" or "slab building."
• The GDR (German Democratic Republic) was particularly proud of these buildings.
• They were constructed extensively in East Germany (GDR) post-WWII and during the Cold War to house large populations.
• Examples of them can still be seen in parts of Berlin today.

The German Language: A Sentence Example

• German allows for very long, comprehensive sentences by adding multiple clauses and descriptors.
• Example sentence: "$Jemanden<em>{} {} hat</em>{} {} am<em>{} {} sehr</em>{} {} heißen<em>{} {} und</em>{} {} erfolglosen<em>{} {} Nachmittag</em>{} {} mit<em>{} {} einem</em>{} {} Gesetzbuch<em>{} {} auf</em>{} {} die<em>{} {} Nase</em>{} {} gehauen_{{}}.$"
• Literal translation: "Somebody got whacked in the face with a law book on an afternoon that was really hot and unsuccessful and blah blah blah."
• This demonstrates the German ability to combine many elements into a single grammatical sentence, unlike English where it might require rephrasing.

Oktoberfest: Origin and Timing

• Oktoberfest is primarily a harvest festival.
• It traditionally starts in September, not actually in October, despite its name.

Common German Stereotypes and Their Truth

1. Traditional Clothing: Dirndl and Lederhosen

• Description: The dirndl (female dress) and lederhosen (male leather trousers) are folk clothing.
• Regional Specificity: These are very specifically linked to the southern state of Bavaria and neighboring Austria, not Germany as a whole.
• Usage: Most commonly worn on special occasions and during festivals like Oktoberfest, though some people in Bavaria might wear them day-to-day.
• Historical Context (Tracht): Most traditional dress, known as Tracht, originated as work clothes for peasants.
• Nazi Influence: Various aspects of idealized German Tracht were later used in Nazi propaganda. The dirndl specifically received a "makeover" under the Nazi regime, featuring a lower neckline, a slightly shorter skirt, and a tighter waist.
• Modern Variations: Designs today range from very traditional to modern.
• Relationship Status Indicator: The position of the apron's bow can indicate relationship status:
  • Right: Married or engaged.
  • Left: Single.

2. Beer Culture

• Stereotype: Germans always have a beer in hand, often in enormous glasses (like a Maß).
• Bavarian Origin: The Maß is a specific element of Bavarian culture that has become a dominant image of Germans abroad.
• Reality: Germany boasts an impressive range of glassware, with specific glasses for different beer types (e.g., Kölsch glass from Cologne).
• Cultural Importance: Not all Germans like beer, but it is an important part of the overall culture, with regional identities tied to specific brews.
• Beer Purity Law (Reinheitsgebot): Traditional brews following the ancient beer purity law still dominate.
• Modern Trends: The country has seen a boom in craft varieties and a rise in popularity of non-alcoholic beer, indicating that the German appreciation for beer extends beyond alcohol consumption.

3. Punctuality

• Saying: "$Am<em>{} {} fünften</em>{} {} ist<em>{} {} es</em>{} {} pünktlich.$" (Punctuality means arriving five minutes early in Germany).
• Reality Check: This ideal often clashes with the reality of train delays, which are a common subject of complaint (a "national sport").
• Source of Pride: Many Germans do pride themselves on being on time, and punctuality is a widely attributed characteristic.
• Efficiency Connection: This reputation is linked to the broader concept of "German efficiency."

4. Efficiency

• Definition: Efficient implies working or operating quickly and effectively in an organized way.
• Critique: While Germans often excel at organization, speed and effectiveness can be questionable.
• Historical Example: The Cologne Cathedral took $632$ years to complete.
• Modern Example (BER Airport): The new Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) project was plagued with problems:
  • Opened in $2020$, billions of euros over budget, and $10$ years behind schedule.
  • Opened just as the coronavirus pandemic halted most air traffic.
• Observation: Germany's love of precision and planning can ironically hinder efficiency, leading to over-bureaucracy.

5. Sense of Humor

• Stereotype: Germans lack a sense of humor (Mark Twain: "A German joke is no laughing matter.").
• Reality: Many funny Germans exist, but sometimes the ability to take things less seriously and laugh at oneself is perceived as missing.
• Regional Differences (Comedian Gail Tufts' Observations):
  • Rhineland: "Party people," ready to laugh.
  • Berliners: "Cultural capital," have seen everything, more discerning humor.
  • North Germans: Incredibly dry but smart humor.
  • South (Stuttgart): Warm heart, can find humor in specific topics (e.g., a $20$-minute walk describing bread).
• Historical Impact (WWII): The "no sense of humor" reputation dates back to WWII.
  • The "golden twenties" saw a flourishing entertainment scene with many Jewish comedians.
  • Many were exterminated or fled (e.g., to the U.S.) during the Nazi era.
  • After the war, it was difficult for an entire generation to find humor, as comedy often stems from experience and storytelling, which was grim.
• Resurgence: German comedy began thriving in the $1950$s and $1960$s, and comedy clubs started popping up in the $1990$s, offering diverse comedic tastes.

Oktoberfest Safety and Humor

• Police Dogs: Police dogs are deployed for safety at Oktoberfest.
  • Pasco: A dog seen enjoying scraps behind a beer tent (reward for good work).
  • Hank: A dog used every morning to search for explosives before daily operations begin.
• Munich Police Humor: The Munich police often post humorous updates on Twitter.
  • Example: A lady from Switzerland bit a security guard, leading to the hashtag "#SwissCheese" (referring to holes from the bite).
  • While human bites can be serious and cause infections, the police humorously highlighted the incident.

Unit: "$Von<em>{} {} Früh</em>{} {} bis_{} {} Spät$" (From Early Till Late)

• Theme: This unit focuses on daily routines, work, and professions.
• Meaning: "$Früh$" means early (e.g., "Der frühe Vogel fängt den Wurm" - The early bird catches the worm). "$Spät$" means late.
• Concept: "$Arbeiten<em>{} {} rund</em>{} {} um<em>{} {} die</em>{} {} Uhr$" (working around the clock).

German Times of Day

• Am Morgen: In the morning (e.g., $6$ AM kick from son).
• Am Vormittag: Before noon / Mid-morning (e.g., $10$ AM waffles).
• Am Mittag: At noon / Midday.
• Am Nachmittag: In the afternoon.
• Am Abend: In the evening.
• In der Nacht: At night (Note: Nacht with 'ch' sound vs. nackt (naked) if mispronounced).
• Grammar Note: Most times of day use "$Am$" (on the day/time of day), but "$In<em>{} {} der</em>{} {} Nacht$" is used as a phrase.

Professions and Their Work Times

• Der Kellner / Die Kellnerin (Waiter/Waitress):
  • Works: Morning (for breakfast/brunch), mid-morning, noon, afternoon (coffee & cake), evening.
  • Typically not at night (no equivalent to $24$-hour diners like IHOP in traditional German restaurants), though food trucks in Berlin might stay open longer.
• Der Arzt / Die Ärztin (Doctor):
  • Works: Morning, mid-morning, noon, afternoon, evening, night.
  • Often different doctors on different shifts due to demanding hours.
• Die Krankenschwester (Nurse):
  • Literally "sick sister." The term "Schwester" comes from medieval nuns who cared for the sick using herb gardens.
  • Der Krankenpfleger: Male nurse (from "$pflegen$" meaning to care for).
• Der DJ:
  • Works: Evening, night.
• Der Lehrer / Die Lehrerin / Der Professor / Die Professorin (Teacher/Professor):
  • Works: Morning, mid-morning, noon, afternoon, often evening (grading, prep), occasionally night (special events, rarely teaching).
• Die Hausfrau / Der Hausmann (Housewife/Househusband):
  • Works: Morning, mid-morning, noon, afternoon, evening, night (a full-time job).
  • German Parental Leave Policy: Very generous.
    • Can take a full year off work with full pay (split between parents or taken by one).
    • Can extend another year at $75\%$ pay.
    • Contrasts with U.S. policies where parents may even have to pay to stay home for shorter periods.
• Der Bäcker / Die Bäckerin (Baker):
  • Works: Very early morning/night (e.g., shifts starting at $2$ AM) for dough to rise and pastries to be ready.
  • A demanding job, but typically offers good health benefits and job security through unions in Germany.
• Der Taxifahrer / Die Taxifahrerin (Taxi Driver):
  • Works: Morning, mid-morning, noon, afternoon, evening, night.
  • Often involves split shifts or co-ownership of taxis.
  • In Germany, the state often pays for taxi services for elderly people to doctor's appointments or grocery shopping.
• Der Ingenieur / Die Ingenieurin (Engineer):
  • Works: Morning, mid-morning, noon, afternoon.
  • Typically not evening or night, unless working in a hospital setting.
• Der Koch / Die Köchin (Chef):
  • "Koch" is a word that can be challenging for non-German speakers to pronounce.
• Der Sekretär / Die Sekretärin (Secretary):
• Die Hebamme (Midwife):
  • A specialized nurse requiring different education.
  • Very well paid and provided for free by the state in Germany (prior to, during, and after birth) – contrasting significantly with U.S. costs ($600+$ just for the day).
• Der Bauarbeiter / Die Bauarbeiterin (Construction Worker):
  • "Bau" means construction, "Arbeiter" means worker.
• Der Raumpfleger / Die Raumpflegerin (Cleaner/Room Caretaker):
  • "Raum" means room, "Pfleger" means caretaker.
• Der Student / Die Studentin (Student):
  • A full-time job.
• Der Arbeitskollege / Die Arbeitskollegin (Coworker):

Formal and Informal Address

• Herr: Mr.
• Frau: Ms./Mrs.
• Fräulein: Formerly used for unmarried women, but is now considered old-fashioned and diminutive. "Frau" is now used universally for adult women, regardless of marital status, to avoid causing offense.

Building and Place Vocabulary

• Der Eingang: Entrance ("$ein_{} {} gehen$" - to walk in).
• Die Toilette (WC): Water closet (WC).
• Die Information: Information.
• Der Aufzug: Elevator (literally "the thing that pulls you up" – "$aufziehen$" means to pull up).
• Die Station: Ward (in a hospital).
• Das Krankenhaus: Hospital ("sick house").
• Der Supermarkt: Supermarket (borrowed from French).
• Das Büro: Office.
• Das Restaurant: Restaurant (borrowed from French).

Unit Learning Objectives

• Officially introduce someone in a job situation.
• Discuss various jobs/professions.
• Describe work conditions (stressful, chill, etc.).
• Understand and interpret shift plans (Dienstplan).
• Talk about one's daily routine.
• Express problems that arise.
• Learn the days of the week (Wochentage).
• Differentiate between definite articles (der, die, das) and indefinite articles (ein, eine, ein).
• Master the times of the day (already covered).
• Learn conjugations of haben (to have).
• Formulate and answer yes/no questions.
• Learn the word "$Jain$" (yes-no), meaning one can't make up their mind.

Days of the Week (Wochentage)

• Montag: Monday (Day of the moon).
• Dienstag: Tuesday (Day of service).
• Mittwoch: Wednesday (Middle of the week).
• Donnerstag: Thursday (Thor's Day / Thunder Day; "$Donner$" means thunder).
• Freitag: Friday ("$Frei$" means free; "free day").
• Samstag: Saturday.
• Sonntag: Sunday (Day of the sun).
• Das Wochenende: Weekend (literally "week's end," one word).

Vocabulary Notes

• A line under '$oo$' (e.g., '$u$\overline{$o$}') indicates a long vowel sound.
• Female professions are generally formed by adding "$-in$" to the male equivalent (e.g., Der Kellner -> Die Kellnerin).

Conversation: "How Are You?"

• Formal: "$Wie<em>{} {} geht's</em>{} {} Ihnen?$" (Note: "$Ihnen$" is capitalized).
• Informal (singular): "$Wie<em>{} {} geht's</em>{} {} dir?$"
• Neutral/Shortcut: "$Wie_{} {} geht's?$"
• Informal (plural / "y'all"): "$Wie<em>{} {} geht's</em>{} {} euch?$"

Responses to "How are you?"

• Es geht mir gut. (It goes well for me.) - Very good.
• Es geht. (It goes.) - Okay/alright.
• Es geht mir nicht so gut. (It's not going so well for me.) - Not so good.
• Es geht mir schlecht. (It's going badly for me.) - Bad.

Listening Comprehension Example

• Scenario: A short dialogue where one person is rushing off to their first day of work at a hospital.
• Key Phrases:
  • "$Guten_{} {} Morgen$" (Good morning).
  • "$Wie_{} {} geht's?$" (How's it going?).
  • "$Gut,<em>{} {} ich</em>{} {} muss<em>{} {} ins</em>{} {} Krankenhaus.$" (Good, I have to go to the hospital).
  • "$Nein,<em>{} {} nein,</em>{} {} ich<em>{} {} bin</em>{} {} nicht_{} {} krank.$" (No, no, I'm not sick).
  • "$Mein<em>{} {} erster</em>{} {} Arbeitstag.$" (My first day of work).
  • "$\ddot{A}h,<em>{} {} viel</em>{} {} Glück!$" (Uh, good luck!).
  • "$Danke!_{} {} Tschüss!$" (Thanks! Bye!).