Language and Identity

Germany’s official language is German – that’s clear. But it does not say so in the Basic Law. Some politicians would like to change that. We present the views of philologist Dr Holger Klatte and Edo Reents of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

Some time ago, a simple sentence enflamed a dispute across the political camps: “The language of the Federal Republic of Germany is German.” This sentence was to be added to constitutional article 22 of the Basic Law. A majority of delegates at the CDU’s Federal Party Conference in late 2008 voted in favour, sparking off heated discussions. A year later, the matter was raised during the coalition negotiations between the Christian Democrats and the FDP and politicians active in cultural affairs in both parties were in favour of enshrining the German language in the Basic Law. The prevailing assessment by the media was that the idea was superfluous and unnecessary. Representatives of the Turkish community in Germany pointed out that the idea would only play on existing fears and clichés about migrants.

Critical voices were also to be heard from the parties to the coalition themselves, including from the Federal Chancellor. In the end, the legal amendment did not appear in the coalition agreement after all, and discussion of the matter has been suspended. That could soon change. This year, protectors of the language from the Association for the German Language, who have been advocating an amendment to the Basic Law for a long time, will be handing over a petition with some 40,000 signatures to the politicians responsible. The discussion will then flare up again. Here are two views:

Dr. Holger Klatte, philologist and spokesman for the Association for the German Language

Why is it so important for you to include German in the Basic Law?

Because the German language is not held in sufficient esteem, either here in Germany or abroad. Many occupational groups in the German media and advertising industries, and also international companies, have little appreciation of our language, regard it as too old-fashioned, and prefer to use English.

If the German language were enshrined in the Basic Law, could one take legal action to enforce its use?

I think that would be difficult. The details would have to be examined. In any case, linguistic consumer protection would be given greater weight. But things would not go so far as to be able to take legal action against an advertising agency that used English in its advertisements. That is not our intention. We believe that the prestige of the German language will grow if we enshrine it in the Basic Law as the official language. It is also important for everyone, both native speakers and people who speak German as a second language, to recognise that German is the official language everyone should be able to speak if they live here.

That is reminiscent of the debate on a Leitkultur or core culture.

But that was about immigrants having to adapt to a whole culture. We are limiting that to language. Everyone who lives in this country should accept the language and learn it properly.

And anyone not doing so is contravening the Basic Law?

I do not think it will be interpreted like that. Amending the Basic Law would rather have consequences for the administration which would then have to guarantee that immigrants can learn German properly. Then, when the agencies responsible apply for money for integration, literacy and remedial courses, they could refer to the Basic Law.

A legal amendment involves a lot of effort and high costs. Is it worth that?

Yes. The German language has much greater value for our speech community than it is credited with having. We believe that in the long term it pays off for the German language to be promoted more at school, as a foreign language abroad and in integration and literacy courses. That may cost something now. But one day, we will reap the rewards.

Edo Reents, Features Editor at the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

Why do you think it is not a good idea to include German in the Basic Law?

For one thing, it goes without saying that German is spoken in Germany. The fact that some English expressions are used in business and anglicisms are used in everyday language does nothing to change that. For another, the question arises as to what the consequences would be of enshrining German in the Basic Law. Would it be an administrative offence if one did not speak German properly? What would be the consequences? I think it is a crazy idea and really do not know what people hope to gain from it.

Advocates say that the idea is to stop the loss of meaning and the contamination of the German language.

The subject of contamination has a long tradition. I am against the use of more and more English expressions too, but that is not something you can control using regulations. The whole speech community should show greater discipline. I am in favour of everyone setting a good example and expressing themselves in a way that positively influences others. I have nothing against anglicisms and English expressions - it is always a question of moderation. Grammatical sloppiness is something I think is much more dangerous. Many Germans do not know the difference between subjunctives I and II or between seit and seitdem. For me, that is much more annoying than the few anglicisms that attract so much attention. I really don’t see those as posing any threat to German.

Advocates believe that including German in the Basic Law would also be of benefit to integration. What is your view?

The debate about the need for immigrants to know German goes on even without such ideas. German does not need to be put into the Basic Law for the debate to continue. People ought to want to speak and learn German themselves. You can achieve that through positive examples, but not using the Basic Law.