What to expect

The Interactive German Language Experience presents selected phases in the history of the German language in a way that is accessible to everyone. This exhibition is an interactive language experience, where the German language can be explored using modern media.

In the stations of the exhibition currently present you will find answers to the following questions ...

How long has the German language existed and how has it evolved?

Individual eras in the history of the German language are presented, with special emphasis on the significance of the 17th-century Fruchtbringende Gesellschaft ("Fruitbearing Society") in the development of German as a rich literary language.

How has German writing developed?

Find out interesting information about the development of the German writing system.

How does the German language work?

Discover how German vocabulary was presented in 17th-century dictionaries and find numerous examples of the syntax, structure, and grammar of the German language today.

What was the significance of translation in the past and what is its significance today?

Find examples of the extensive translation work of the Fruitbearing Society,

discover words that can not be translated into other languages,

and learn about the different kinds of translation. In addition, multimedia presentations invite you to explore the importance of technical tools in translation and to try your hand at the art of translation in a translation workshop.

What impact did Martin Luther and his translation of the Bible have on the development of the German written language?

Find out what guided Martin Luther when he translated the Bible. You can also discover idioms that originate from Luther and find examples of Luther’s function as a role model for the Fruitbearing Society.

What are the origins of the various dialects and regional variations of the German language?

Learn about how the differences between the many German dialects came to be. Discover the connection between dialect and standard language. Listen to recordings of dialects and check which ones actually sound like German to you.

Where have German words emigrated to?

You will be amazed at how many German words have found their
way into other languages all around the world.

What do the names of German cities mean?

Maybe you can find a German town of your choice on a map and discover what its name means.

What projects does the Neue Fruchtbringende Gesellschaft organize?

You will find information about the „Straße der deutschen Sprache“ (Road of the German language), speech workshops and the writing contest “Beautiful German Language". You can also train how to use your voice when speaking.

At the end of your tour of the Interactive German Language Experience you are invited to take a seat in the cinema room and retrace the history of the German language by watching a 20-minute film or listen to excerpts from a lecture-performance with texts and images about the Fruitbearing Society.