Learning German? A continuation of an interactive performance art and social intervention which uses language as a medium to explore transnational identity and the question of integration/immigration to Germany
31Juli:ballaballa from kate hers on Vimeo.
Location: Berlin, Germany
Word or Expression: Ballaballa
Closest English Translation: cuckoo, loopy, loony, loco, gaga, nutso
Literal Translation: Ball Ball?
This word probably has its origins in a German popular song from 1965 called My Baby Balla Balla by The Rainbows.
30Juli: Sich einen hinter die Binde gießen from kate hers on Vimeo.
Location: Berlin, Germany, Kreuzberg, Oranienstrasse
Word or Expression: Sich einen hinter die Binde gießen
Closest English Translation: to wet one’s whistle
Literal Translation: to water one behind one’s tape, scarf, bandage
Thanks to artist Lizza May David!
29 Juli: Strammermax from kate hers on Vimeo.
Learning Category: idiom/slang
Location: Berlin, Germany, Keyser Soze
Word or Expression: Der Strammermax
Closest English Translation: McMuffin? A slice of bread fried in butter and covered with ham and fried egg
(tight willy, hard dick)
Literal Translation: Stiff Max, Tight Max
The term Strammer Max (literally “stiff Max” or “tight Max”) originated in the 1920s in Saxon slang, where it initially referred to an erection, the male name “Max” being often used as a slang word for penis (similar to the English “Dick” or “Willy”). The term was adopted into Berlin street slang and applied to a dish that was supposed to be especially strengthening to the sexual prowess of the person eating it.
28 Juli: Prügelknabe from kate hers on Vimeo.
Location: Berlin, Germany, Cafe Chagall
Word or Expression: der Prügelknabe
Closest English Translation: fall guy, scapegoat, doormat
Direct English Translation: flogging knave
Thank you Christoph, Magda, Amanda and Hanjo for such amazing acting.
27 Juli: Das Blaue vom Himmel lügen from kate hers on Vimeo.
Location: Berlin, Germany, Weißensee
Word or Expression: Das Blaue von Himmel lügen. (I said, “Der Lügt das Blaue von Himmel.”)
Closest English Translation: He promises you the moon (and then he does not deliver).
Direct English Translation: To lie about the blue from the sky. He lies about the blue from the sky.
Thank you Kimura Byol.
26 Juli: Fick dich ins Knie from kate hers on Vimeo.
Location: Berlin, Germany, Dong Xuan Vietnamese Market
Word or Expression: Fick dich ins Knie!
Closest English Translation: Go fuck yourself!
Literal Translation: Fuck yourself in the knee!
Thank you Jonas Becker, artist and photographer and my fellow UCI alumni!
22 Juli: Katzentisch from kate hers on Vimeo.
Location: Berlin, Germany, Omoni in Prenzlauerberg
Word or Expression: der Katzentisch
Closest English Translation: the kiddie table, the side table
Literal Translation: cat’s table
The cat’s table is usually the undesirable table. In a restaurant it is the table next to the toilet or the cloakroom. It is the table for the children or the unimportant.
Thanks to Hyunji and Duriel for being such good sports.
das deutschsprachliche Projekt Teil 2 