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German Genealogical Word List: Difference between revisions
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German words for persons, places, and things (nouns) are always capitalized. All nouns are classified as masculine, feminine, or neuter. This classification is called gender. The gender of a noun is indicated by der (masculine), die (feminine), and das (neuter), which translates as "the." Word endings may vary, depending on the way the words are used in the sentence. | German words for persons, places, and things (nouns) are always capitalized. All nouns are classified as masculine, feminine, or neuter. This classification is called gender. The gender of a noun is indicated by der (masculine), die (feminine), and das (neuter), which translates as "the." Word endings may vary, depending on the way the words are used in the sentence. | ||
'''Variant Forms of Words''' | === '''Variant Forms of Words''' === | ||
In German, as in English, the forms of some words will vary according to how they are used in the sentence. Who—whose—whom or marry—marries— married are examples of words in English with variant forms. In German, the form of many words can change greatly. This word list gives the standard form of each German word. As you read German records, you will need to be aware that some words vary with usage. | In German, as in English, the forms of some words will vary according to how they are used in the sentence. Who—whose—whom or marry—marries— married are examples of words in English with variant forms. In German, the form of many words can change greatly. This word list gives the standard form of each German word. As you read German records, you will need to be aware that some words vary with usage. | ||
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In German, many words are formed by joining two or more words. Very few of these compound words are included in this list. You will need to look up each part of the word separately. For example, Geburtstag is a combination of two words, Geburt (birth) and Tag (day). | In German, many words are formed by joining two or more words. Very few of these compound words are included in this list. You will need to look up each part of the word separately. For example, Geburtstag is a combination of two words, Geburt (birth) and Tag (day). | ||
=== Dialects === | |||
Germany has a range of different dialects. These can be grouped into two main groups, Low German spoken in the northern lowlands of Germany, and High German spoken in the more mountainous south. Traditional dialects form a continuum as opposed to sharp charges, with dialects slowing becoming more "Low German" as one moves towards the north-east. Dutch dialects can be viewed as a continuation of this continuum. | |||
High German has become the most "standard" dialect of German. See these wiki articles for specific information on Low German: [[Low German Language in German Research]], [[The Dialect Basis of Spelling Variation in German Surnames]], [[Spelling Variants in the Northern Rheinland]]. | |||
==Diacritic Marks== | ==Diacritic Marks== | ||
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|retired farmer living on a life estate | |retired farmer living on a life estate | ||
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|Achtelbauer | |Achtelbauer | ||
|farmer with 1/8 farm | |farmer with 1/8 farm | ||
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|cottager with a small house and a garden of his own, perhaps some livestock | |cottager with a small house and a garden of his own, perhaps some livestock | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Kampheuerling | |Kampheuerling | ||
|tenant of a farm belonging to nobility | |tenant of a farm belonging to nobility | ||
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|Kolonist | |Kolonist | ||
|new settler in the area; most, but not all, were farmers | |new settler in the area; most, but not all, were farmers | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Kolupner | |Kolupner | ||
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|farmer, farm overseer, manager | |farmer, farm overseer, manager | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Ochsner | |Ochsner | ||
|poorer farmer who used oxen | |poorer farmer who used oxen | ||
|- | |- | ||