Language connects people and opens doors

Worldwide, more people than ever are learning German. In its most recent large-scale study in 2020, the “Netzwerk Deutsch”, a network comprising the Federal Foreign Office, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the Goethe-Institut and the Central Agency for Schools Abroad, found that there were 15.4 million of them. In Africa and Asia in particular, German is becoming increasingly important. The number of schools offering German lessonshas increased from 95,000 in 2015 to around 106,000. One reason for the growth is assumed to be the growing importance of language qualifications for skilled professionals. 

German is changing rapidly  

What people learn and how they ultimately communicate in German also depends on how the language itself evolves. The meanings of words and grammar are in a constant state of flux, with foreign words being adopted into language usage, while dialects and age-specific or regional language codes characterise everyday parlance. “This has always been the case, but the speed at which the changes are happening has increased considerably,” says Dorota Wilke, press spokesperson of the German Language Association (VDS). “That’s why it is important for us as a language community to consider from time to time whether this or that particular development actually makes sense.” 

Readings and exhibitions on German Language Day 

The VDS has been organising German Language Day since 2001. All over Germany, regional branches of the VDS provide information about how the language is currently evolving and explore the changes that are taking place for example due to anglicisms or gender-sensitive language. Language promoters organise readings, exhibitions and award ceremonies at various places. The focus is on dialects, the sociolect “Kiezdeutsch”, the technical jargon used in specific professions, officialese and the language used in the media. The VDS is also internationally active, fostering interest in the German language.  

An important target group: the younger generation 

One of the main goals of German Language Day is to raise awareness about the essential role language plays as a means of communication, explains Wilke. She says that this cannot be taken for granted, especially among the younger generation. “It is not enough to be able to express oneself well among one’s peers - one must also be able to do so vis-à-vis strangers,” she stresses. “Anyone who wants to do well in the world should have a good command of language. Language connects people and opens doors.” 

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