About 8 years ago, the language police in Germany decided to simplify spelling and punctuation. Now, major newspaper publishers are announcing that they are going back to the old spelling. Read more:
- Swissinfo [Reuters--James Mackenzie--German publishers in revolt over spelling]
- BBC News [Spelling revolt grips German press]
- The Guardian Observer [Luke Harding--Germans bridle at language law]
Others that are staying with the new style, for now: Frankfurter Rundschau and Berliner Zeitung.
This reminds me of the way the transition to the metric system was scuttled in the United States. This is conservatism at its best: oppose a sensible change because it's change; the old, confusing, and convoluted system is always best.
Father, let me dedicate All this year to you
In whatever earthly state You will have me be
Not from sorrow, pain, or care Freedom dare I claim;
This alone shall be my prayer: Glorify Your name.
--from New Year's Hymn by Lawrence Tuttiett, 1864 (alt.)
In whatever earthly state You will have me be
Not from sorrow, pain, or care Freedom dare I claim;
This alone shall be my prayer: Glorify Your name.
--from New Year's Hymn by Lawrence Tuttiett, 1864 (alt.)
