German

German is predominantly spoken in several central European countries, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein. In these nations, German serves as an official language and is widely used in government, education, and daily communication. Beyond these borders, German-speaking communities are also found in parts of Italy’s South Tyrol region and in areas of eastern France. Additionally, German is recognized as a minority language in regions of Denmark, Poland, and the Czech Republic. The global German-speaking population is estimated to be over 100 million people, making it one of the most spoken languages in Europe.

The German Language

German is a West Germanic language that evolved from the languages spoken by the Germanic tribes in ancient times. It shares close linguistic ties with English and Dutch. Standard German, known as Hochdeutsch, is based on the dialects of central and southern Germany and serves as the standardized form used in formal settings and written communication. The language boasts a rich literary tradition, with notable figures such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Schiller contributing to its cultural heritage. German is characterized by its complex system of noun declensions, verb conjugations, and a vocabulary that has absorbed words from various languages over centuries.

Don’t get confused

The Germanic languages are a branch of the Indo-European language family, which includes languages spoken in Northern and Western Europe, as well as some regions in the Americas and Oceania due to historical migration. They include English, Dutch, Scandinavian languages (like Swedish, Danish, Norwegian), and German.

German is a member of the West Germanic group, alongside Dutch, English, and others, and is one of the major languages within this branch, with strong historical ties to both English and Dutch.

Asterix spricht Deutsch

The German editions are published by Egmont Ehapa, based in Berlin. The first German translation, Asterix der Gallier, was released in 1968. Since then, all subsequent Asterix albums have been translated into German, maintaining the original’s humor and cultural references while adapting them to resonate with German readers. The German versions have played a significant role in introducing the series to a broader audience and have contributed to the global popularity of Asterix comics.

Mundart

The Asterix series has been translated into over 30 German dialects, known as “Mundart,” showcasing the diversity of the German-speaking world. These dialect translations include variations such as Alemannisch, Bairisch, Berlinerisch, Kölsch, and Sächsisch, among many others. Published by Egmont Ehapa, the series allows readers from different regions to enjoy the stories of Asterix and Obelix in their local dialects. These translations highlight the richness of regional languages in Germany, often adding local humor and cultural references.

Idefix

The German publsher, Egmont, is also responsible for the publication of the German translations of the Dogmatix (Idefix) books. They are usually one or two books behind the French publications, but when you compare that to the publication of other translations they are actually doing very well.

Idefix und die Unbeugsamen (Dogmatix and the Unbendables) is braodcast on German TV as well.