For many years I have observed incorrect German language usage printed on advertisements. This makes me wonder why nobody, among the people involved (shop, printer, etc.), would catch these mistakes. Of course, we all make mistakes, but we should take the trouble and double-check it with a professional or at least a dictionary, e.g. Leo.

The Germans’ affinity for apostrophes leads to quite a few incorrect slogans. This is not just a German malaise; other languages lean on anglicisms as well. Where regular plural should be used, some German businesses would rather add an apostrophe to declare it plural. I have seen Steak’s advertised instead of Steaks. Ask them to write Autos, then there would be no Auto’s. They like to do this with English words only. An example for the correct usage of an apostrophe in English: Maria’s car. This would be Marias Auto in German. Please note there is no apostrophe in the German language.

From now on I will keep a log on this language malaise and I will focus my attention mostly on Oberursel and its stores, restaurants, etc.

Deutsche Sprache - schwere Sprache

Seen in Oberursel Vorstadt: Wahnsinn’s Preise should be spelled Wahnsinnspreise (literal translation: insanity prices = unbelievably low prices)

Tags: German language blunders, incorrect German slogans, no apostrophe in German

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