German: 7–10 Sequence / Levels 9 and 10 / Understanding / Language variation and change
Content description
Understand that language has power and changes over time as a result of contact with other languages and with influences such as globalisation and new technologies and knowledge
Elaborations
considering how language marks values and attitudes such as respect and equality, and includes and excludes, for example, the use of titles or first names (Herr Doktor Schmidt, Herr Schmidt, Georg), different words for the same entity (foreigner/immigrant/refugee), the gendered nature of professional titles (der Lehrer, die Lehrerin; das Kindermädchen), and access to community information fornon-English speakers
noting that although German grammar has not changed as much as English over the centuries, it did relatively recently undergo changes in spelling and punctuation in the official Rechtschreibreform, requiring, for example, β to be used only after long vowel sounds or diphthongs (Fuβball, Spaβ, weiβ), and ss to be used after short vowels (dass, Klasse)
investigating and reporting on evidence of current and historical influences of German language and culture in the local and broader Australian community, for example, German/Austrian/Swiss place names (Heidelberg, Hahndorf, Leichhardt, Grindelwald), food (cafés, restaurants, bakeries, market stalls), festivals and celebrations (German Film Festival, Swiss Festival, Weihnachtsmarkt), and organisations (Goethe-Institut, SBS German Radio, clubs, churches, companies)
considering the concept of ‘ecology’ in relation to German and other languages; that is, the interaction of the language with constantly changing environments due to globalisation, technology, and language shifts and exchange
