These learning activities are based on the song “Denglisch” by the German “Wise Guys”. Have fun finding out how English German has become…
Objectives
By listening to the song you will learn about popular German Anglicisms and extend your vocabulary in German. You will get to know a popular German a-cappella-group.
Activity 1: Listen to the song
In this activity, you will listen to the song 'Denglisch' and start to think about its meaning.
Instruction
Click on the link below to listen to the whole song. Then read the question and write your answer in the textbox provided.
What is this song about and what do you think does the word "Denglisch" mean?
The song is about the numerous English words in German, but it is also about how everybody uses these “bad” words unconsciously all the time. The group itself uses an English name.
And this explanation is from the official website www.wiseguys.de:
"Musikalisch ein relativ schneller Gospel, inhaltlich die ... "Abrechnung" mit den zahlreichen Anglizismen im Deutschen. Aber es geht eigentlich mehr darum, sich selbst dabei zu entlarven, wie oft man diese vermeintlich "schlimmen" Wörter doch selbst benutzt (und weniger um die Rettung der deutschen Sprache oder so...). Für Letzteres müssten wir ja erst mal unseren Bandnamen ändern..."
Activity 2: Chorus
You will now have a closer look at the beginning of the song:
Instruction
The following lyrics of the chorus are jumbled. Try to put them into the correct order, then check by listening to the chorus again (up to 0.17seconds):
ich sehne mich nach Frieden und ‘nem kleinen Stückchen Glück, öffne unsre Herzen, mach’ die Hirne weit, lass uns noch ein Wort verstehn in dieser schweren Zeit, oh Herr, bitte gib mir meine Sprache zurück,
This is the correct order:
Oh Herr, bitte gib mir meine Sprache zurück, ich sehne mich nach Frieden und ‘nem kleinen Stückchen Glück. Lass uns noch ein Wort verstehn in dieser schweren Zeit, öffne unsre Herzen, mach’ die Hirne weit.
Does the chorus have the form of a
The chorus has the form of a prayer. It starts with Oh Herr (Oh Lord), and is written in the imperative throughout (lass, öffne, mach’)
Click the correct translation for
Ich sehne mich nach Frieden
I am yearning for peace.
"Frieden" and "freedom" are so-called false friends. They sound similar, but they have a different meaning.
What is the meaning of the following sentence? Write your answer in the box below.
Make a list of all the words that appear in German and later in English in the chorus.
bitte -please (ei)nem kleinen Stückchen - a bit of Frieden - peace Glück - happiness Herr - Lord Herzen - hearts lass uns - let us machen - make öffne - open Sprache - language verstehn (=verstehen) - understand Wort - word zurück - back
Now make a list of all the “Anglizismen” (English words) used in the verses with their proper German translation (if there is one).
a little bit too late - ein kleines bisschen zu spät after eight - nach acht Connection - Verbindung Ticket - Fahrkarte Kids - Kinder Fun - Spaß Joint - (no German word) Service Point - Auskunft Traveln - Reisen updaten - auf den neuesten Stand bringen Feedback - Resonanz, Rückmeldung, but better: Feedback
abturnen (=to turn down) - abweisen Wellness-Weekend (wellness = spa) - Wellness-Wochenende (no German word for Wellness) Good Vibrations - gute Schwingungen Flow - Fluss Energy - Energie Infotainment-Flash - Nachrichten Cash - Bargeld Communicating - Kommunikation, Kommunizieren Bodyguard - Leibwächter (old-fashioned) Security - Sicherheit Coffee-Shop - Kaffeehaus, Café Crash - Unfall Airbag - Airbag (Lufttasche is not used) Nordic Walking - a trendy sport in Germany (no German equivalent) Crisis - Krise
Activity 4: Wer sind die Wise Guys?
In this activity, you will find out more about the Wise Guys by studying their website.
Instruction
Go to the Wise Guys website and then try to find out which of the following statements are correct (look under “über uns”)
Die Wise Guys sind eine Gruppe von
• fünf Männern
The Wise Guys are a group made up of five men (Dän, Nils, Sari, Eddi, Ferenc)
Die Wise Guys
• kennen sich schon größtenteils seit der Schule.
Most of them were together in school.
Die Wise Guys
• singen nur They are an a cappella group • haben in der Schule auch Instrumente gespielt They used to play in a windband, which became a rockband
Die Wise Guys
sind sozial engagiert
For example, they support street children in India by giving charity concerts.
Would you like to review the main points?
This should have given you a flavour of the way English words are used in German and also about a musical trend in Germany with a-cappella groups.
For another famous German a-cappella group, listen to the song "Deutschland" by Die Prinzen:
