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- Go to Bye, bye, Fräulein!
Such a soft, gay, effeminate little sensitive world. Isn't it wunderful?
posted by
mordent
on October 3, 2008 at 1:56 AM
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Luxenburg
My great grandfather was from Luxenburg. Came over in 1834. I find the German language interesting but I also heard that it can be tough to learn. I am sad to think that I cant speak a language was the only language some of my recent ancesters knew.
posted by
ravenmarie
on October 2, 2008 at 9:05 PM
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It makes me sad too when words are taken from a language! Politically correct is overrated! lol sam
posted by
sam444
on October 2, 2008 at 5:40 PM
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LOL - Fraulein - undt zen vee vill tak ova zee cozmetix industry
posted by
Smittenheimer
on October 2, 2008 at 2:54 PM
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I agree with gapcohen
They need a "Ms." equivalent.
posted by
missjohn316
on October 2, 2008 at 1:29 PM
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Loved whar Sinome says
"Me? I think the whole thing is silly, calling a 5 year old Mrs is not avoiding sexism it is ridiculous". And a Wow to you vogue for this interesting topic. Very Germane
posted by
Bhaskar.ing
on October 2, 2008 at 10:02 AM
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Vogue
It's utterly absurd! Next time I'm over there, which may happen next year, I'll just use the banned words anyway. And if the French or German language police arrest me and I get charged and jailed, I'll bring a suit for damages against a bevy of former language instructors, and live high on the hog for the rest of my life! I'll even get that 55ft yacht I always wanted, and of course the Porsche...
posted by
Nautikos
on October 2, 2008 at 4:54 AM
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A very interesting piece (especially the reference to my fave designer!)
and yes there are so many politically incorrect names and phrases these days that we are almost scared to open our mouths for fear of insulting something or someone; I believe they call this progress
Many blessings my friend and thank you
posted by
mariaki
on October 2, 2008 at 4:18 AM
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What an interesting piece; thank you! I always enjoy your posts.
posted by
Nita09
on October 2, 2008 at 2:47 AM
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Vogue
Mademoiselle Vogue, oui chère, I agree. It isn't right, and Marlene wouldn't have approved either.
posted by
WileyJohn
on October 1, 2008 at 11:04 PM
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Sinome hit on my first impression...
that is, no more Fraulein meant there were no more German virgins, but of course, that would be a ridiculous conclusion to draw. I've noticed that the older I get, when chumming with my 64 year old sister, I love it when someone refers to us as "girls" and I don't feel virginal whatsoever (when called a girl -- and I didn't lose my virginity until I was of legal age!) Neither am I insulted when called a "Maam". I wear a wedding ring, so my marital or sexual status isn't especially a mystery. I do check the box that says "Mrs." when asked to state my title, although I have never been called Mrs. Jay Carey even if in my mother's day she was not Flora Smith but Mrs. Ray V. Smith. But then she wore gloves to town on Saturdays and a hat as well, to shop. I prefer flip-flops and my painter -Teeshirt, but it IS a half century or more later, after all. I do prefer my kids call me Mom and not Carole, though my best friend's 17 year old calls his mother Julie and her ten year old son calls her Mom! Go figure that one out! My husband prefers my real name, but all my "new" friends call me...
Cee
posted by
LadyCeeMarie
on October 1, 2008 at 9:26 PM
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Hmmmm In Spanish countries there would be no way to get rid of the Miss equivalent... Senorita means essentially virgin, and Senora, not so, or married ( hopefully) Many old ladies insist to be called senoritas because it means they are pure, untouched. So senorita is a compliment and senora as well because it denotes the respect a "taken" woman should inspire. Me? I think the whole thing is silly, calling a 5 year old Mrs is not avoiding sexism it is ridiculous.
posted by
Sinome
on October 1, 2008 at 8:55 PM
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That's about the first thing I learned while in Germany: do NOT address anyone with Fraulein, even if she is 5 years old! Strangely enough, French and German have something in common here as it is the same way the French are going: no more Mademoiselle. Only Madame, whatever your age. Well, as I told my teacher: I just can not bring myself into addressing a 5 y.o. girl as Frau. Too stupid.
posted by
auslander
on October 1, 2008 at 4:30 PM
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Hi, Vogue. I choose "Ms" in all circumstances; why should my title indicate whether or not I'm married? But Frau would get to me. The German language should also have a third alternative! MS. MAL
posted by
gapcohen
on October 1, 2008 at 2:52 PM
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Interesting, so no more German spinsters? / White Lies?
That article made good reading. My second language at college is German. Come next class I shall update my lecturer with the info. Thanks. As far as the dictional changes go, it happens all the time in all languages. English is for eg., a language that is structured on borrowed words only. It has word like Catamaran, Chutney, from my mother tongue which is Tamil. However, as you mentioned there Fraulein is indeed a nice word.
White Lies
Is there ever a righteous kill? Vouge, I intended that article to be cheeky. I wasn't particularly debating against lies. And a Liar doesn't necessarily end up in hell.
posted by
laxman_v
on October 1, 2008 at 12:19 PM
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vogue, I think that we need to get over ourselves and allow the language
of our nations to change itself, as it always has and not legislate vocabulary changes. Silly stuff.
There are some places where "miss" is a dis here in America.....so, it is all silly, to me.
posted by
benzinha
on October 1, 2008 at 10:42 AM
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