Looking to buy a WW2 ring. Help me not get scammed on eBay. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 3, 2009 - 9 answers

Is there a Medieval Linguist in the house? I need a very short conversation between Cistercian nuns in Saxony translated into Medieval Latin. Any help so I don't sound like a complete idiot warmly welcomed. [more inside]
posted by The Whelk on Oct 23, 2009 - 7 answers

What did the Nazis call the French Resistance? I know they called the individual resisters "terrorists," but what word did they use to describe the resistance as a whole? (Insurgency, resistance, uprising, rebellion, etc.) This is research for a screenplay - I'm not looking for a discussion about modern parallels, or of what the morally correct word is in various situations. Also, if someone could give me the word in German that would be great! Please no guessing.
posted by bagadonuts on Oct 22, 2009 - 9 answers

Having recently learned that Fritz Lang filmed an entirely different, French language, version of The Testament of Doctor Mabuse alongside the 'original' German version, I set out to find it. The only way to get hold of it seems to be via the Criterion DVD, but this is a Region 1 (NTSC) release only. Where else can I get a copy of the alternate Mabuse? Preferably as either a download or as a Region 2 (PAL) release [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Oct 22, 2009 - 6 answers

Relationship filter: He's an Austrian in Austria, I'm an American in America, and I have ADHD/Inattentive type. He's not familiar with this concept. What books can I suggest to him? [more inside]
posted by bilabial on Oct 18, 2009 - 7 answers

LanguageLearning Filter: I'm about to start taking Turkish classes (my fourth language) in German (my third language). Any tips on how to make this a beneficial experience for all my languages? [more inside]
posted by besonders on Oct 13, 2009 - 3 answers

Help me track down the meaning of a surname. The name is "Naftzger." It seems to be a Germanic (if not German) word for an occupation (e.g. "Metzger" means "butcher"). But what occupation? What does the "Naf" mean? Bonus points for information on region of origin.
posted by reverend cuttle on Oct 1, 2009 - 3 answers

Need help translating/interpreting Wittgenstein's "Bei der magischen Heilung einer Krankheit bedeutet man ihr, sie möge den Patienten verlassen", esp. the use of bedeuten with a dative object. [more inside]
posted by creasy boy on Sep 9, 2009 - 11 answers

I've failed to find a long-ago post (or - dread thought - it COULD have been a comment!) featuring an astounding young German guitar player performing an extraordinary solo of a classical nature - with dazzling finger technique. [more inside]
posted by Jody Tresidder on Sep 7, 2009 - 6 answers

Cheap, efficient way to learn German online. [more inside]
posted by ekpyrotic on Aug 22, 2009 - 15 answers

I've just moved into a lovely apartment in Frankfurt, Germany, only to discover that my neighbor likes to play loud techno music on his stereo at 1 a.m. I don't speak German. Help? [more inside]
posted by doctorpiorno on Aug 14, 2009 - 16 answers

language-philes -- Isnt English weird for not having conjugated verbs? Even its closest relatives - german and the romance languages - have conjugated verbs. Please to explain? [more inside]
posted by jak68 on Aug 5, 2009 - 38 answers

Mattress-filter: I recently took a trip to Germany with my wife and was fascinated by some of the hotel beds there. Unlike some other parts of Europe, there were not two single-person beds, but seemed to be two combined. [more inside]
posted by anjiro on Jul 24, 2009 - 4 answers

Can anyone please translate this short phrase into German? It's from the Rankin-Bass movie, Santa Claus is Comin' to Town. [more inside]
posted by rahnefan on Jul 10, 2009 - 16 answers

How and where can I buy a male German Shepherd puppy? [more inside]
posted by pulled_levers on Jun 12, 2009 - 13 answers

My wife heard a German word for the last frost date, but she can't remember it. Are there any German-speaking gardeners who can tell us? It was a pretty long word with multiple syllables.
posted by RussHy on May 23, 2009 - 5 answers

FSI language courses: is this a particular accent, or just the tape? So I'm going through the Foreign Service Institue German program, available online here, and I'm wondering if the speakers on the audio portion have a particular accent or if their pronunciations pretty much the most common. [more inside]
posted by Think_Long on May 20, 2009 - 4 answers

Back in high school, my German language teacher recited this little poem that I never forgot... [more inside]
posted by monospace on May 7, 2009 - 7 answers

I'm going to Germany on 21 May. I've been told (by Germans) that my German is good, but I'd still like to do a bit of immersion before I go to get used to hearing it, etc. I'd particularly like to listen to some German radio. Any favorite stations? [more inside]
posted by bibliophibianj on May 5, 2009 - 10 answers

German filter: Help me write a bereavement/sympathy/condolence card for someone in Germany. [more inside]
posted by doctor.dan on May 2, 2009 - 6 answers

Learning German, couple of questions... [more inside]
posted by humblepigeon on Apr 21, 2009 - 11 answers

I have about a month to brush up on my German before I go on a business trip - what are some good resources? [more inside]
posted by backseatpilot on Mar 18, 2009 - 6 answers

I am making a door-sized poster for my classroom that will have two phrases in fifteen languages: “We speak German” and “We learn/are learning German.” I have German, French, Russian and Romanian covered. I need eleven more. [more inside]
posted by vkxmai on Mar 7, 2009 - 41 answers

German national in the US. My six-month J1 (short term research scholar) visa has expired and I am currently allowed to stay no more than thirty more days. I am an EU citizen, not under the 2 year rule, and looking for an option to stay for a few more months (hopefully with the option of working part-time or interning). Any chance of that? (Posted on behalf of a friend.)
posted by limon on Feb 25, 2009 - 11 answers

I'm hoping to start learning German again (I spent a solid 8 years in middle/high school doing my best to avoid learning a single word), and would like to get the ball rolling again by trying to read a book in German. Does anyone have any suggestions for a fairly basic, but entirely adult ( as opposed to young adult) book that would keep me interested/not destroy my will to learn? [more inside]
posted by domakesaypat on Feb 16, 2009 - 15 answers

What are the best MeFi-, Robotwisdom-, Agonist-like weblogs from Germany and in the German language ? A previous thread gave me some links, but i do not care for them and they were not in the same league as the blogs mentioned above.
posted by Substrata on Feb 14, 2009 - 3 answers

I'm a college senior who wants to move to Berlin next year. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by null14 on Jan 28, 2009 - 5 answers

Trying to find a specific kind of German sausage... [more inside]
posted by Dormant Gorilla on Jan 14, 2009 - 12 answers

Please help with translating this ship manifest. [more inside]
posted by snugglebunny on Jan 8, 2009 - 8 answers

Where in the US can I buy German versions of PC, PS1, and PS2 games? [more inside]
posted by jedicus on Dec 3, 2008 - 3 answers

I'm trying to find a specific painting. [more inside]
posted by highfidelity on Nov 30, 2008 - 8 answers

German translation, as direct as possible, of the phrase "singing the glow"? [more inside]
posted by kalapierson on Nov 2, 2008 - 7 answers

What does "wegdrückbar" (in a medical context) mean in English? [more inside]
posted by feathermeat on Oct 20, 2008 - 4 answers

German Business Filter: What some ways that Germans try to "sell" their business? [more inside]
posted by mjger on Oct 15, 2008 - 1 answer

What's the best account for saving money in Germany? [more inside]
posted by cmonkey on Oct 10, 2008 - 6 answers

How do I best learn German without attending a school? [more inside]
posted by vansly on Sep 22, 2008 - 15 answers

Help me remember a random arts-and-crafts kit from my childhood... with a German twist? [more inside]
posted by veryhappyheidi on Sep 13, 2008 - 6 answers

Based on your own experience in Germany over the last year: is Deutsche Bahn's systemwide smoking ban inside Germany being enforced? [more inside]
posted by kalapierson on Aug 19, 2008 - 18 answers

Any Neue Deutsche Welle experts around? I recently came across an old cassette (probably from '82 or '83) with a bunch of Neue Deutsche Welle songs on it. It could be a homemade mix-tape, or it could be a copy of an officially released compilation. I've been able to tentatively identify about half of the songs, but haven't had any luck with the others. Anyone want to take a crack at them? The first side of the tape is posted here, and the second side (with mostly unidentified songs) is posted here. Thanks! [more inside]
posted by nixxon on Aug 17, 2008 - 3 answers

Calling all Germanic (and Slavic) rockers, ravers and, uh, *insert classical term that starts with "r"*! Help me expand my music collection with European melodies! [more inside]
posted by curagea on Aug 15, 2008 - 13 answers

Can you help me find a particular funny story about the German language? [more inside]
posted by dalesd on Aug 15, 2008 - 11 answers

Is there any database or online fan community focused on translating European comics? [more inside]
posted by monkeyagent on Aug 14, 2008 - 2 answers

What's the excruciatingly correct pronunciation of Berlin-based academic publisher Walter de Gruyter? [w] or [v]? What about their subsidiary, Mouton de Gruyter? Bonus points for IPA.
posted by ormondsacker on Aug 4, 2008 - 10 answers

German grammar check: free online tools or Mac freeware/shareware? I have fairly solid German; goal is polishing drafts I'm writing in German, not translating from scratch. Seeking best stopgaps for when I can't afford or barter for a human's time. (And I don't have an MS Office CD with German tools.)
posted by kalapierson on Jul 28, 2008 - 2 answers

I want to acquire familiarity with famous works of German literature. What works would a typical person growing up in Germany have been exposed to as classics or as exemplary works? [more inside]
posted by philosophygeek on Jun 12, 2008 - 13 answers

Am I responsible for the Holocaust? [more inside]
posted by krautland on Jun 10, 2008 - 75 answers

How do you pronounce the "sz" in a German word or name that begins with it, such as "Szigen" (like the festival) or "Szaggars"?
posted by bondgirl53001 on May 23, 2008 - 14 answers

I'd like to get a German dictionary/language program for my Blackberry Curve. Any recommendations or caveats? [more inside]
posted by foxy_hedgehog on May 16, 2008 - 1 answer

What are some good books in German for a moderately advanced student of the language? [more inside]
posted by pwicks on May 13, 2008 - 17 answers

I have one scanned JPG image of one typewritten page of modern German (or possibly modern Swiss-German). What's the best company, service, or person to use to get it translated into English quickly? [more inside]
posted by Asparagirl on Apr 18, 2008 - 8 answers