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Archiver > GERMANNA_COLONIES > 2001-05 > 0989401179


From: John Blankenbaker <>
Subject: [GERMANNA] (1163)Germanna Colonies, HIstory of
Date: Wed, 09 May 2001 05:45:02 -0400


The eleven hundred and sixty-third note in a series on the Germanna Colonies

I have decided that some of these notes should be devoted to instructive
material and the most appropriate subject for us would be the German
language. Now, as an instructor, I rank with the best in the number of
students flunked. So I thought I could lead you in some German lessons. I
say “lead” because I expect you to do your share.

First, there is a pretest. What is the meaning of this word?

Hottentottenstottertrottelmutterbeutelrattenlattengitterkastenattentäter

If you know the meaning of this word, then you cannot get credit for the
course. Please do not feel bad if you do not understand this word at the
first reading as you may never have encountered it before. Most likely, you
will never encounter it again but then one never knows.

To start with something simpler, I will give you a number of German words
for which you are to find the equivalent English meaning. The technique of
having students learn things on their own is a very effective and it will
build your confidence. Here are the words (I have put two distinct words on
each line to save space):

Finger Wolf
Hand Hammer
Arm Sack
Lippe Wanderer
Nest Winter
Ring Hunger
Rose Gold
warm Land
mild Plan
bitter finden
so binden

Here are a few clues to help you. Nouns are capitalized and the infinitives
of verbs end in “en.” For a start, you can classify the words into nouns,
verbs, or other. Then you must find the English meaning of the word.

Just to keep us on track in this process, I am using “Easy Ways to Enlarge
Your German Vocabulary” by Karl A. Schmidt. I’ll try to read ahead so I am
always a lesson ahead of you.

John Blankenbaker
http://www.germanna.com/
http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~george/johnsgermnotes/germhis1.html
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~genelea/gerhist/index.html

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