Deppen apostrophe officially included in German spelling | Life & Knowledge


Does it hurt you when you read advertising signs with inscriptions like “Rita's Bunte Stube” or “Harald's Eck”? At least that's how I feel. That makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Because according to German spelling it is simply wrong.

So far, anyway. Because although it should actually be called “Rita’s Flower Shop” and “Harald’s Pub”, there is a new regulation. The so-called idiot apostrophe has now been officially translated into German spelling recorded. According to a decision by the German Spelling Council, the apostrophe can now be used to delimit the genitive in proper names, for example if they are company names or similar constructions.

This spelling was previously incorrect – now it is permitted

This spelling was previously incorrect – now it is allowed

Photo: IMAGO/Schöning

This means that spellings like “Uschi's Haar-Stübchen” or “Klausi's Angel-Laden” are now just as correct as “Uschi's Haar-Stübchen” and “Klausi's Angel-Laden”. Until now, the apostrophe in the genitive was only correct if the name ended in an s sound, for example “Klaus' Obst-Körbchen”.

The spelling of this pub was wrong for a long time and the apostrophe was unnecessary

The spelling of this pub was wrong for a long time and the apostrophe was unnecessary

Photo: action press

For proper names that are not company names, however, the apostrophe is still not permitted. For example, private individuals continue to write “Willis bicycle” or “Lisa’s car” without an apostrophe.

Although the new set of rules represents a relief for many who were unsure about forming the genitive, it is likely to continue to cause controversy. Especially since the genitive is disappearing more and more from the German language anyway. Language lovers will therefore be more critical of the change.

“Knut's Pub” should actually have been called “Knut's Pub”. Now the idiot apostrophe is okay

“Knut's Pub” should actually have been called “Knut's Pub”. Now the idiot apostrophe is okay

Photo: Funke Photo Services

However, the introduction of the Deppen apostrophe into official spelling also reflects the change and the increasingly flexible design of German spelling Language reflected. What was previously considered a mistake and an example of bad style used to be allowed more and more often.

Maybe you just want to prevent it from becoming apparent at some point that many Germans don't know German spelling very well.

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