Today I want to let you know about a strange linguistic thing that happens in Germany every year since 1991. A jury of linguists and journalists regularly nominates the “Unwort des Jahres” (faux-pas word of the year).<\/p>\n
Understandably you might ask: why?<\/p>\n
Well, the goal of the action is to achieve a more sensitive way to deal with language in public communication and to support the awareness of language of the population. It focuses on inappropriate and inhuman phrases in public language usage.<\/p>\n
It is based on the participation of the population that submits propositions of the fax-pas word of the year.<\/p>\n
Here are the “Unw\u00f6rter” of the last years:<\/p>\n
2011:<\/strong><\/p>\n D\u00f6ner-Morde<\/strong> (the Kebab murders) Gutmensch<\/strong> (do-gooder)<\/p>\n Marktkonforme Demokratie<\/strong> (market-compliant democracy) 2010:<\/strong><\/p>\n Alternativlos<\/strong> (without alternatives) Integrationsverweigerer<\/strong> (resister to integration) Geschw\u00e4tz des Augenblicks<\/strong> (Blabber of the moment) 2009:<\/strong><\/p>\n Betriebsratsverseucht<\/strong> (Contaminated by works council) Fl\u00fcchtlingsbek\u00e4mpfung<\/strong> (Refugee abatement) Intelligente Wirksysteme<\/strong> (Intelligent active systems) 2008:<\/strong><\/p>\n Notleidende Banken<\/strong> (Banks in default) Rentnerdemokratie<\/strong> (Democracy of retirees) Karlsruhe-Touristen<\/strong> (Tourists of Karlsruhe) 2007:<\/strong><\/p>\n Herdpr\u00e4mie<\/strong> (stove bonus) Klimaneutral<\/strong> (climate neutral) Entartet<\/strong> (degenerated) Crazy words, don\u00b4t you think?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Today I want to let you know about a strange linguistic thing that happens in Germany every year since 1991. A jury of linguists and journalists regularly nominates the “Unwort des Jahres” (faux-pas word of the year). Understandably you might ask: why? Well, the goal of the action is to achieve a more sensitive way…<\/p>\n
\nReferring to a series of murders commited by a small group of Neonazis<\/p>\n
\nThe association to corruption isn\u00b4t far, is it?<\/p>\n
\nThe word suggest in an inadequate way, that there is no alternative during a decision process and for this reason there is no need to discuss certain topics. It\u00b4s a good way to strengthen disenchantment with politics.<\/p>\n
\nSpread by the Minister of the interior Thomas de Mazi\u00e8re, this word assumes that a lot of Immigrants resist to their own integration.<\/p>\n
\nWith this phrase, the dean of the college of cardinals Angelo Sodano tried to play down the massive accusations of sexual abuse in the roman catholic church.<\/p>\n
\nOutrageous defamation of employee-voice practices.<\/p>\n
\nMilitary alteration of control of refugees.<\/p>\n
\nConcealment of hightech ammunition, even used officially by manufacterers.<\/p>\n
\nThe proportions of cause and consequences of the global economic crisis are totally mixed up.<\/p>\n
\nAs retirement pays should raise (1,1%!!!), former president Roman Herzog talked about a state where the older people raid the younger ones.<\/p>\n
\nDefamation of citizens who call the Federal Constitutional Court (which has its place of business in Karlsruhe) several times.<\/p>\n
\nThe word defames parents, especially women, who raise their children at home instead of taking a place in a day nursery.<\/p>\n
\nThe attempt to promote the expansion of air traffic or other carbon dioxide producing techniques, without showing ways to neutralize this pollution<\/p>\n
\nAlteration of art and culture without religious link.<\/p>\n