Honors Theses

Date of Award

2007

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

Department

Croft Institute for International Studies

First Advisor

Eva-Maria Metcalf

Relational Format

Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract

In this study I examined the reactions of official and independent German language organizations to the influx of Denglish, which is a hybrid mix of German and English, and Anglicisms. The independent language organizations tend to be more open in opposing these linguistic influences, and often want strict language protection laws like those in France and Poland. I hypothesized that Germany’s Nazi past has led to a general lack of patriotism and nationalism in Germany, which has affected their language policy and allowed Germany to be overrun by Denglish and Anglicized words and phrases. Germany is experiencing a renewal of patriotism, especially since the 2006 World Cup, and this has brought the debate over language more into the limelight. I examined studies that show German has more Anglicisms than Italian, Spanish, and French, and also Germany has lower levels of patriotism and nationalism than Italy, Spain, and France. I also examined the websites of the language organizations themselves, and I believe there is a definite correlation proven in this study between Germany’s Nazi past, lack of patriotism, and language issues.

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