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
Location: New York, NY
Word or Expression: Zoni
Closest English Translation: East German
Literal Translation: person from the GDR
Origin: Since approximately 1990 “Ossi” is the German slang term for a former East German, “Wessi” being the West Germany counterpart. Until then, “Zoni”note was used for people from the GDR, “Wessi” was used by the people in West Berlin for those from West Germany and “Ossi” was used in jokes about people from East Frisia.
16 Nov: Stolz wie Oskar from kate hers on Vimeo.
Location: New York, NY
Word or Expression: Stolz wie Oskar
Closest English Translation: Proud as punch, Proud as a peacock
Literal Translation: Proud like Oscar
Tatzu Nishi’s Discovering Columbus was the backdrop of this video in NYC.
15 Nov: Sich scheckig lachen from kate hers on Vimeo.
Location: New York, NY
Word or Expression: Sich scheckig lachen
Closest English Translation: To laugh oneself to pieces, To laugh oneself into stitches, To laugh oneself silly
Literal Translation: To laugh oneself motley
Thanks Elizabeth for being my laughing buddy!
14 Nov: Wie bei Hempels unterm Sofa from kate hers on Vimeo.
Location: New York, NY
Word or Expression: (Hier sieht es ja aus) wie bei Hempels unterm Sofa.
Closest English Translation: This place looks like a bomb hit it.
Literal Translation: Here it looks like under the Hempel’s sofa.
Origin courtesy of geolino.de: If someone says that a room looks “wie bei Hempels unterm Sofa” it means that the room is in disastrous disorder and chaos. But who is Hempel? No one knows because the origin of the phrase is not clear. Probably there was not a real family called Hempel.
However, the name “Hamid” derives from the word “Hampel”, which previously referred to a simple-minded and unciviled folk. This term was already in use during the time of Martin Luther (1483-1546). Only in the 20th century was the phrase “Hempels sofa” disseminated. In some areas, one can use the phrase “bei Hempels unterm Bett” (under the Hempel’s bed). In addition, the German singer-songwriter Reinhard Mey contributed to the notoriety of this expression when he wrote a song titled “How at Hempel’s under the bed” in 1991.
12 Nov: Jemandem eine Standpauke halten from kate hers on Vimeo.
Location: Peterborough, NH
Word or Expression: Jemandem eine Standpauke halten
Closest English Translation: To be tongue whipped
Literal Translation: To hold someone to a telling off
Thanks Dan Tice and Christina Choe for supporting me with being whipped by Korean Ramen.
das deutschsprachliche Projekt Teil 2 