230558 Contrastive Language Studies: German-English (S) (WiSe 2008/2009)

This course will deal with selected areas that show significant differences and difficulties between the two languages, English and German. Topics will be drawn from the areas of pragmatics, syntax and above all lexis and semantics.

To list a few example areas: There will be sessions on historical terms and geographical names (what are Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Marokko or Nürnberg in English?), false friends (e.g. what is the German for English warehouse, how's it going?).

In syntax, we will deal amongst other things with such examples as all her former kindnesses or the boat sleeps six, which are little known to German students. The same goes for transitivity (compare such English constructions as The novel sold 3m copies in the first three weeks after publication) and raising (e.g. Further trials are planned to start in Europe during 1993). Another area is word class differences in realizing ideas, e.g. he happened to find her in the library - er traf sie zufällig in der Bibliothek.

Last, but by no means least, we will look at areas which are central to successful cultural understanding and interaction: word play, everyday conversation (small talk) and politeness.

Credits and Requirements: students can earn three credits for active participation and a satisfactory performance in the class test at the end of the semester.