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==Language Characteristics== | ==Language Characteristics== | ||
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 | 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), all three of which translate 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 | 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 focuses on the standard form of each German word. As you read German records, you will need to be aware that some words vary with usage. | ||
The endings of words in a document may differ from those on this list. For example, the document may use the word junger, but you will find it in this word list as jung. In addition, the suffixes -chen and -lein are often added to words to indicate "little. | The endings of words in a document may differ from those on this list. For example, the document may use the word junger, but you will find it in this word list as jung. In addition, the suffixes -chen and -lein are often added to words to indicate "little"; when one of these suffixes is added, the vowel usually changes slightly. Therefore, the word Söhnchen means "little or young son" (Sohn = son) and Töchterlein means "little or young daughter" (Tochter = daughter). | ||
Adjectives describe nouns and must have the proper masculine, feminine, or neuter endings. For example, in German you would say "junger Mann" (young man) | Adjectives describe nouns and must have the proper masculine, feminine, or neuter endings. For example, in German you would say "junger Mann" (young man), "junges Mädchen" (young maiden), or "junge Frau" (young woman) if a man, maiden, and woman are the subjects of a sentence. Adjective endings can change depending on usage and gender. | ||
Plural words are usually formed by adding -er, -en, or -e. Thus the word Kind becomes Kinder, Frau becomes Frauen, and Aufgebot becomes Aufgebote. Plurality may also change the vowel slightly. For example, Mann becomes Männer. | Plural words are usually formed by adding -er, -en, or -e. Thus the word Kind becomes Kinder, Frau becomes Frauen, and Aufgebot becomes Aufgebote. Plurality may also change the vowel slightly. For example, Mann becomes Männer. | ||
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 | In German, many words are formed by joining two or more words together. 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=== | ===Dialects=== | ||
Germany has a range of different dialects. These can be grouped into two main groups | 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]]. | 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== | ||