11 June 2012: Kein Fachchinesich

11 Juni: Fachchinesisch from kate hers on Vimeo.

Location: Karlsruhe, Germany

Word or Expression: Kein Fachchinesisch
The billboard says, “No fear. We speak German, no technical Chinese.”

Closest English Translation: No Greek language here (refers to this saying “That’s Greek to me.”)

Literal Translation: No technical language/chinese here

However, I find this expression extremely problematic – racist and orientalizing if one really critically thinks about it.

Unlike the English expression, That’s Greek to me/It’s (all) Greek to me – which really does refer to the complexity of the Greek language and it’s obvious connection to mathematics, science and philosophy, this expression, no technical Chinese refers to the “Chinese” sound of incomprehensible talking – and an indisputable notion of the strange, foreign, and Other. In addition, Greek as a European language holds immense respect in the history of European culture and language and Greek roots are often used to coin new words for other languages, especially in the sciences and medicine; Greek and Latin are the predominant sources of the international scientific vocabulary. Chinese language has no such relationship to German culture or language.

16 Apr 2012: Amis

16 Apr: Amis from kate hers on Vimeo.

Location: Berlin, Germany

Word or Expression: der Ami, die Amis

Closest English Translation: American, Yankee

Literal Translation: shortening of American

Ami, like other slang, is sometimes considered offensive, derogatory or low class as in “Ami go home! Ami geh heim!” Some people use it also to self-describe or use it in a rather affectionate manner. It depends who is saying it and how its being said.

What experiences have you had with the word Ami? Please share!

This video is participating in a new interactive online project. Check out capsuling.me for more information.

21 Mar 2012: Piefke

21 Mar: Piefke from kate hers on Vimeo.

My bad, I totally mispronounced the word and said Pfeifke instead of Piefke. We took a second video take, but it seems the record button was never pressed. Oops. Wir sind Deppen!

Location: Berlin, Germany

Word or Expression: der Piefke

Closest English Translation: braggart, kraut: derogatory term for a German

This is a really interesting word. It has various meanings depending on which German speaking country you are in. In Germany, it mean braggart or poser. However in Austria, it is a derogatory term for a German.
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piefke

2 Jan 2012: Fidschi

2 Jan: Fidschi from kate hers on Vimeo.

Word or Expression: Fidschi

Closest English Translation: chink, jap, gook
Literal Translation: Fiji

A “Fidschi” is a derogatory term used by Germans for an Asian, however typically used to describe those of Vietnamese descent who hang around certain subway stations selling illegal cigarettes (not sure why). Evidently this Fidschi slur first made its appearance in the GDR to discriminate against migrant workers from Vietnam. Ostensibly referencing the Fiji Islands, it is emblematic of how ignorant many are about the difference (never mind between single ethnicities) between Asia and the Pacific Islands.