Welcome to German Tips

German scrabble

Playing scrabble is a great way to brush up your German, it is fun, and now you can even do it for free on your computer. The German Scrabble Site offers two free online word games: Hornets and Net Hangman. In German. Requires Shockwave.

http://www.mattelscrabble.com/de/games/index.html

German Spellchecker for Winword

Type the names of the missing drivers (mssp232.dll and mssp3GE.dll) into a search engine. You will find that many people have this problem, i.e. you´ll find these names cropping up in newsgroups and such. Chances are that you will also find a site where you can download these drivers. Download them into: ...\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Proof\. This is step no. 1. Step no. 2 is getting the driver mssp2_ge.lex. Grab it here: http://willow.cats.ohiou.edu/~lrc/germanware/proofing/.
Download it into the same folder (..Microsoft/Shared/Proof). Now, Word 2000 will be able to spellcheck German documents.

Ziege

A "Ziege" is a goat. If the adjective ´old´ is added, it becomes an insult: "Alte Ziege", which is still quite effective if you are out to annoy, though the phrase is a little dated.

Translations

I will help you with your German letter writing & translations for a small fee. Inquire for details at: tom.packlick@worldnet.att.net. Here´s my bio:
Dorothea F. Packlick. Birthday: 11. August 1963, Berlin, Germany. BA (German MA) in English Literature & Linguistics, Economics & Journalism. 1979-1992: German, French & English coach for pupils aged 6 - 18. 1980-1995: freelance work, translations of English-German texts (e.g. movie scripts, contracts, literature, book reviews) & work for German TV with the Berliner Spiele Filmproduktion. 1987-1993: English & German teacher for independent educational institute (Berliner Nachhilfezirkel E. V.), 1994-1998 Assistant of the Vice President of the Max-Planck-Society, Max-Planck-Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin. Moved to the US in 1998, currently not employed (thank God!). Interests: Literature, computers, music, internet, traveling, cats.

Plattdeutsch

Plattdeutsch is a regional variety of German spoken in northern Germany, especially at the costal region next to the Netherlands. It is related to Dutch and English. It is very hard to understand, even for a German. It is not taught at school.

Need help doing homework?

Here is a great site concerned with homework: Hausarbeiten.de

http://www.hausarbeiten.de/

A great way to read up-to-date German on a variety of topics.

IIK Duesseldorf

Learning German or getting a stipend with the IIK Duesseldorf
Contact:

Institut fuer Internationale Kommunikation in Zusammenarbeit
mit der Heinrich-Heine-Universitaet Duesseldorf (IIK e.V.)
Universitaetsstrasse 1, D - 40225 Duesseldorf
Tel +49/(0)211/81-15182, Fax -12537

mailto:iik@phil-fak.uni-duesseldorf.de

http://www.iik-duesseldorf.de

* Informationen about IIK Duesseldorf

mailto:kurzinfo@iik-duesseldorf.de?subject=IIK-Kurzinfo-edaf12
kurzinfo@iik-duesseldorf.de

* IIK stipends
mailto:stipendien@iik-duesseldorf.de?subject=Stipendien-edaf12
stipendien@iik-duesseldorf.de

Berlitz Language Schools

You will find Berltz language schools in most bigger German cities. They offer classes for both small groups and individuals. The teachers are always native speakers. It is possible to have your classes tailored to your interests and needs (i.e. Business German, refresher courses, compact courses). The classes are well-structured and very useful.

German information for students

Go to

http://directcoupons.com/school.html

and find links to German texts, historical information and literature all over the web. In English.

Free copy of Das Fenster Magazine

Get your free copy of the American-German mag "Das Fenster" at www.dasfenster.com. The mag is highly informative, as it deals with a variety of topics related to Germany & Germans living in the US. There is also a decent ad section and cultural stuff, such as short stories and poems. Check this out!

The German Internet Project

The German Internet Project is a US-based portal with a variety of tips and links dealing with German language and culture (in German and English). Highly recommended.

http://www.uncg.edu/~lixlpurc/GIP/index.html

The Stammtisch in Seguin, TX

Good news for people living in Guadalupe County, TX. There is a weekly discussion group for anything related to Germany. Best of all, it is free. Also, your German does not need to be perfect to attend. Discussions are held every Monday from 12:30 a.m. to 1:30 pm. at the Silver Center, 510 East Court St., Seguin, TX 78155, phone: (830) 372 98 57.

Look up German words and phrases

You can look up German words and phrases at your.dictionary.com. They also have an extensive index of other online dictionaries. The index is searchable.

Ostler, Ossis

"Ostler" or "Ossi" is an unflattering term for a person who was born in the former German Democratic Republic (GDR). Use of this term should be avoided, as people are quite sensitive about this issue. On the other hand, it is quite common for former East Germans to use the term themselves with their peers.

ein Rad ab

"Der hat ja ein Rad ab" means that the person in question is daft (stupid). The phrase is similar to the loose screw, only here the allegory is a missing wheel.

The German sound "CH"

Master the German "ch". It is important and has no equivalent in English. It is an aspirated, guttural and prolonged "k" (but it is NOT the same sound!). It sounds like someone wants to clear his throat a bit, like "krrrrr". Examples: ach, Achtung, echt, endlich. Remember: it is not a "k".

German radio in Florida

WTIS 1110 AM broadcasts a German radio program, die Deutsche Funksendung. The station is available in Brooksville, Venice and Orlando. The programs deal with German news, features, culture and music. They are broadcasted on Saturdays, 1 - 3 p.m. and Sundays, 1 - 2 p.m. Info: (813) 254 5088

The Goethe Institute

The Goethe Institute aims at spreading information about the German language and culture all over the world. They have offices in most big cities and often show German language films. You can attend German classes for a fee or use their library for free. Their webpages are available in German and English. You will find a list of their branches worldwide, details about German classes, news on arts and culture, learning and teaching German, their libraries and, finally, interesting links with German topics. Check out the Goethe Institute at:

http://www.Goethe.de