Schottenfreude: German Words For The Human Condition (2013) - Plot & Excerpts
Having long harbored the urge to learn German, this book was a natural choice for this "fraulein." Book is very well written and would be a delight to anyone obsessed with language, especially German. The whole premise is that Germans seems to have a word for everything. New car smell - three words in English - boils down to this outrageously long word: Kraftfahrzeugsinnenausstattungsneugeruchsgenuss. And consider these others: Fussfaust - Instinctively curling up your toes in mortification at someone else's embarrassment. Gastdruck - The exhausting effort of being a good houseguestHere's one of my favorite examples from the book, and it beautifully illustrates how German can be so very much like English: "'dokumentlustpanik'" - anxiously patting down every pocket to locate a vital document you had just moments ago.This entry is found unbelievably ironic. "Sonntagssleerung": Sunday afternoon depression. Intellectual and author Susan Sontag, whose name is embedded in this word, was the epitome of Sunday afternoon despair. In fact, this book abounds in amusing ironies, and therein lies its charm. Found this book delightfully entertaining and very stylishly presented. Begeisterungsruf (bravo)! I'd give five for the concept. I'd give five for the execution of the text. There's something wonderful about discovering that there really are those fabulous words in German that describe a myriad of emotions. My whole world has been better knowing that there is a word for that sense of malaise when it hits you late on Sunday that the weekend is nearly over and that you'll have to resume the weekly grind: Sonntagsleerung.Why the one star? Whoever decided on the format of this book should be shot (or Schott). The font for the German words are nearly impossible to read in such a small size. The long, skinny rectangle format makes you feel like you've got one of those impulse buy novelty books near the check out counter at Barnes and Noble. The way it's formatted essentially requires you to read from right to left. Why, oh why, did they not make this into a traditional format that people can comfortably read?!I'm having that sense of despair when an otherwise fun book is poorly, and tragically formatted. I bet there's a German word for that.
What do You think about Schottenfreude: German Words For The Human Condition (2013)?
A fun look at crazy words that really should exist in English :)
—dalmy
A middle-brow book if there was one, but enjoyable nonetheless!
—Gizzmo
If you're a word-geek, like I am, this book is so much fun.
—Rose
