Nouns in German are capitals

By Andrew Bossom

Why have two separate forms for each letter?

Printed Samples of Fraktur and Kurrent

"Until 1941, German was usually printed in Fraktur and handwritten in Kurrent. Then the Nazis came along and ended this centuries-old tradition..."  --
from  http://www.reddit.com/r/languagelearning/comments/1l6maz/guten_tag_this_weeks_language_of_the_week_german/

 Here's a sample of printed Fraktur.  Can you read about "die Orgel" = the organ and other "Klavierinstrumente zum Accompagnement." = and other keyboard instruments used for accompaniment?  The capital letters "S" and "V" I find particularly difficult.  Both are below. Can you find the words "Schade" (a shame) and "Vorzüge"? (advantages)? 

 Here's a handwritten note by Immanual Kant, in Kurrent, which reminds me of my maternal grandmother's penmanship (1906-1987).  It seems to me that not much changed for 150+ years. 

Can you read this?


Übung:  Locate these words in the above handwritten text:

• Aufklärung = explanation
• Unmündigkeit = immaturity 
• Leistung = accomplishment
• Mut = courage ..

Spass mit "Compound Nouns"

Do you agree that Astrid of Augsburg, or Silly-Sparrowness is quite charming?  This link Romy's second suggested post, and I'm delighted to have been introduced to this video blogger. 

Where do German nouns end?




Can you recreate the compound noun she has devised for her audience?  

What new compound nouns can you devise "auf Deutsch?"