AP German Language and Culture Unit 2 - Persönliche und Öffentliche Identität

Unit 2 - Persönliche und Öffentliche Identität Personal and public identities Essential questions ● Wie entwickelt sich die Identität eines Menschen? ○ Die Identität einer Person ändert sich mit persönlichen Erfahrungen und Menschen in ihrem Leben. Es verändert sich auch in der Umgebung, in der man lebt, weil die Erfahrungen, die man gemacht hat, von der Umgebung abhängen. Die gesellschaftlichen Ideale können auch die eigene Identität verändern. ● Welchen Einfluss hat Sprache auf unsere kulturelle Identität? ○ Sprache hat einen sehr großen Einfluss auf die eigene Identität, da es in der deutschen Kultur viele verschiedene Dialekte gibt, die für jede Region und jedes Land spezifisch sind. Das Sprechen eines bestimmten Dialekts kann die Heimat und Kultur eines Menschen identifizieren. ● Wie spiegelt lokale Kunst die öffentliche Identität einer Region wider? ○ Die Kunst in einer Gemeinschaft spiegelt ihre Kultur wider, weil Kunst eine Methode des Selbstausdrucks ist und Künstler in der Gemeinschaft ihre Kultur zeigen und bewahren. Erklären Sie, wie die deutsche Kultur diese Bräuche, Traditionen und Werte geschaffen und beeinflusst hat. Unit 2 sub themes and keywords: Sprache und Identität: ● In Germany there are really many different variations and dialects of the German language making them a source of extreme pride for those who speak them. For the population, speaking in a certain dialect reminds them of their homeland even if they have moved and therefore makes these dialects a large part of their identity. ○ All the areas have their own slightly different accent and dialect making them all very unique and meaningful ○ To a certain extent the dialect you speak determines your social class/ economic status ○ Distinction between East and West Germany’s dialects Important vocabulary for language and identity: ● Die Heimat -- homeland, strong cultural significance especially in the older generation. ● der Dialekt -- dialect Stereotypen: ● There are many stereotypes regarding German and German speaking people such as being very punctual (mostly Swiss), other stereotypes are being stern and cold and seemingly without emotion. Germans also like to be straightforward and avoid small talk. ● There are also many stereotypes for Turkish guest workers and immigrants that live in Germany, for example for having bigger families compared to the average German family ○ I recommend the movie Almanya which discusses the cultural impact of guestworkers and clearly outlines stereotyping against them Important vocabulary for personal technology and communication: ● Das Stereotyp --stereotype ● pünktlich -- punctual ● streng -- stern or strict Integration: ● German speaking countries have been home to many immigrants and guest workers in recent history so it is important to understand the difficulties to fit in into the culture. Sometimes your accent defines your identity not to yourself but to others, indicating that one is not a native german speaker ● As mentioned above there are also stereotypes surrounding immigrants in some societies making the transition even more difficult Important vocabulary for integration: ● Die Integration-- integration ● der ausländische Akzent -- foreign accent, sometimes meant with a negative connotation Geschlechtliche Identität : ● Sexuality is another main aspect of identity and one must understand the social opinions on the topic to see how culture influences identity. ● One’s gender identity may be influenced by culture and the environment surrounding them and is and important part of one’s personal identity ● Understand societal ideas regarding sexuality and how it affects the population and everyday life Important vocabulary for gender identity: ● die Bisexualität -- bisexuality ● die Homosexualität -- homosexuality ● die Heterosexualität -- heterosexuality Nationale Identität: ● The German national identity is hard to explain because there are so many parts. It is hard for Germany to develop a national identity after WWII and the Cold War. ● To this day there is still a certain extent of division between East and West Germany society, beliefs and customs. ● This represents how past experiences and events can greatly affect identity even at such a large scale like a national scale. Important vocabulary for national identity: ● Die Nationalität -- nationality ● Das Ostdeutschland -- East Germany ● Das Westdeutschland -- West Deutschland ● Die kulturelle Spannung -- cultural tension ● Die nationale Identität -- national identity, an identity that falls over all german residents/citizens