German Culture OverviewMarine Chemistry21120311064Zhu YaoyaoAbstract: The Federal Republic of Germany, the capital is Berlin. It has a population of 8211 million. And it has many famous cities. There are Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt and so on. Many Germans are Christian and Catholic.German culture began long before the rise of Germany as a nation-state and spanned the entire German-speaking world. From its roots, culture in Germany has been shaped by major intellectual and popular currents in Europe, both religious and secular. Historically Germany was called Das Land der Dichter und Denker(the country of poets and thinkers).[1]Read Germany's culture from various angles, this paper includes several aspects: language, literature, philosophy, music, media, architecture, art, religion, science, diet ，sport and society. I hope German cultural overview be able to let people have a good understanding of German culture.Key Words: German; culture; language; literature; philosophy; music; media; architecture; art; religion; science; cuisine; sport; societyLanguageGerman is the official and predominant spoken language in Germany.[2] It is one of 23 official languages in the European Union, and one of the three working languages of the European Commission, along with English and French. Recognised native minority languages in Germany are Danish, Sorbian, and Frisian. They are officially protected by the ECRML. The most used immigrant languages are Turkish, Kurdish, Polish and Russian.Standard German is a West Germanic language and is closely related to and classified alongside English, Dutch, and the Frisian languages. To a lesser extent, it is also related to the East (extinct) and North Germanic languages. Most German vocabularyis derived from the Germanic branch of the Indo-European language family.[3] German is written using the Latin alphabet. German dialects are distinguished from varieties of standard German. German dialects are traditional local varieties and are traced back to the different German tribes.Around the world, German has approximately 100 million native speakers and also about 80 million non-native speakers.[4]German is the main language of about 90 million people (18%) in the EU. 67% of German citizens claim to be able to communicate in at least one foreign language, 27% in at least two languages other than their own.[2]LiteratureGerman literature can be traced back to the Middle Ages, with the most notable authors of the period being Walther von der V ogelweide and Wolfram von Eschenbach. The Nibelungenlied, whose author remains unknown, is also an important work of the epoch. The fairy tales collections collected and published by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm in the 19th century became famous throughout the world.Theologian Luther, who translated the Bible into German, is widely credited for having set the basis for the modern "High German" language. Among the most admired German poets and authors are Lessing, Goethe, Schiller, Kleist, Hoffmann, Brecht, Heine and Schmidt. Nine Germans have won the Nobel Prize in literature: Theodor Mommsen, Paul von Heyse, Gerhart Hauptmann, Thomas Mann, Nelly Sachs, Hermann Hesse, Heinrich Böll, Günter Grass, and Herta Müller.PhilosophyThe rise of the modern natural sciences and the related decline of religion raised a series of questions, which recur throughout German philosophy, concerning the relationships between knowledge and faith, reason and emotion, and scientific, ethical, and artistic ways of seeing the world.German philosophers have helped shape western philosophy from as early as the Middle Ages. Later, Leibniz and most importantly Kant played central roles in the history of philosophy. Kantianism inspired the work of Schopenhauer and Nietzsche as well as German idealism defended by Fichte and Hegel. Marx and Engelsdeveloped communist theory in the second half of the 19th century while Heidegger and Gadamer pursued the tradition of German philosophy in the 20th century. A number of German intellectuals were also influential in sociology, most notably Adorno, Habermas, Horkheimer, Luhmann, Simmel, Tönnies, and Weber. The University of Berlin founded in 1810 by linguist and philosopher Wilhelm von Humboldt served as an influential model for a number of modern western universities. In the 21st century Germany has been an important country for the development of contemporary analytic philosophy in continental Europe, along with France, Austria, Switzerland and the Scandinavian countries.[5]MusicIn the field of music, Germany claims some of the most renowned classical composers of the world including Bach, Mozart and Beethoven, who marked the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western classical music. Other composers of the Austro-German tradition who achieved international fame include Brahms, Wagner, Haydn, Schubert, Händel, Schumann, Liszt, Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Johann Strauss II, Bruckner, Mahler, Telemann, Richard Strauss, Schoenberg, Orff, and most recently, Henze, Lachenmann, and Stockhausen.As of 2006, Germany is the fifth largest music market in the world,[6] has exerted a strong influence on techno and rock music, and pioneered trance music. German musicians and, particularly, the pioneering bands Tangerine Dream and Kraftwerk have also contributed to the development of electronic music.[7]Germany hosts many large rock music festivals annually. The Rock am Ring festival is the largest music festival in Germany, and among the largest in the world. German artists also make up a large percentage of Industrial music acts,which is called Neue Deutsche Härte. Germany hosts some of the largest Goth scenes and festivals in the entire world, with events like Wave-Gotik-Treffen and M'era Luna Festival easily attracting up to 30000 people.MediaGermany's television market is the largest in Europe, with some 34 million TV households. The many regional and national public broadcasters are organised in linewith the federal political structure. Around 90% of German households have cable or satellite TV, and viewers can choose from a variety of free-to-view public and commercial channels. Pay-TV services have not become popular or successful while public TV broadcasters ZDF and ARD offer a range of digital-only channels.[8] Germany is home to some of the world's largest media conglomerates, including Bertelsmann, the Axel Springer AG and ProSiebenSat.1 Media.The German-speaking book publishers produce about 700 million copies of books every year, with about 80000 titles, nearly 60000 of them new publications. Germany is in third place on international statistics after the English-speaking book market and the People’s Republ ic of China.[9]The Frankfurt Book Fair is considered to be the most important book fair in the world for international deals and trading and has a tradition that spans over 500 years.ArchitectureArchitectural contributions from Germany include the Carolingian and Ottonian styles, important precursors of Romanesque. The region then produced significant works in styles such as the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque.The nation was particularly important in the early modern movement through the DeutscherWerkbund and the Bauhaus movement identified with Walter Gropius. The Nazis closed these movements and favoured a type of neo-classicism. Since World War II, further important modern and post-modern structures have been built, particularly since the reunification of Berlin.ArtGerman art has a long and distinguished tradition in the visual arts, from the earliest known work of figurative art to its current output of contemporary art.Important German Renaissance painters include Albrecht Altdorfer, Lucas Cranach the Elder, Matthias Grünewald, Hans Holbein the Younger and the well-known Albrecht Dürer. The most important Baroque artists from Germany are Cosmas Damian Asam. Further artists are the painter Anselm Kiefer, romantic Caspar David Friedrich, the surrealist Max Ernst, the conceptualist Joseph Beuys, or Wolf V ostell or the neo-expressionist Georg Baselitz.ReligionThe German government has limited responsibilities for culture, which is devolved to the states of Germany, called Bundesländer.64.1 percent of the German population belongs to Christian denominations. 31.4 percent are Roman Catholic, and 32.7 percent are affiliated with Protestantism [10]. The North and East is predominantly Protestant, the South and West rather Catholic. Nowadays there is a non-religious majority in Hamburg and the East German states.[11] Germany formed a substantial part of the Roman Catholic Holy Roman Empire, but was also the source of Protestant reformers such as Martin Luther.Historically, Germany had a substantial Jewish population. Only a few thousand people of Jewish origin remained in Germany after the Holocaust, but the German Jewish community now has approximately 100,000 members, many from the former Soviet Union. Germany also has a substantial Muslim minority, most of whom are from Turkey.ScienceGermany has been the home of many famous inventors and engineers, such as Johannes Gutenberg, who is credited with the invention of movable type printing in Europe; Hans Geiger, the creator of the Geiger counter; and KonradZuse, who built the first computer.[12] German inventors, engineers and industrialists such as Zeppelin, Daimler, Diesel, Otto, Wankel, V on Braun and Benz helped shape modern automotive and air transportation technology including the beginnings of space travel.[13][14]The work of Albert Einstein and Max Planck was crucial to the foundation of modern physics, which Werner Heisenberg and Erwin Schrödinger developed further.[15] They were preceded by such key physicists as Hermann von Helmholtz, Joseph von Fraunhofer, and Gabriel Daniel Fahrenheit, among others. Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen discovered X-rays, an accomplishment that made him the first winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901.[16]The Walhalla temple for "laudable and distinguished Germans", features a number of scientists, and is located east of Regensburg, in Bavaria.[17][18]Germany is home to some of the finest academic centers in Europe. Some famousUniversities include those of bothMunich and Berlin, University of Tübingen, University of Göttingen, University of Marburg, University of Berlin, Mining Academy Freiberg and Freiburg University, among many others. Moreover the Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg is one of the oldest universities in Europe. CuisineGerman cuisine varies from region to region. The southern regions of Bavaria and Swabia, for instance, share a culinary culture with Switzerland and Austria. Pork, beef, and poultry are the main varieties of meat consumed in Germany, with pork being the most popular.[19] Throughout all regions, meat is often eaten in sausage form. More than 1500 different types of sausage are produced in Germany. Organic food has gained a market share of around 3.0%, and is predicted to increase further.[20]A popular German saying has the meaning: "Breakfast like an emperor, lunch like a king, and dine like a beggar." Breakfast is usually a selection of breads and rolls with jam and honey or cold cuts and cheese, sometimes accompanied by a boiled egg. Cereals or muesli with milk or yoghurt is less common but widespread.[21] More than 300 types of bread are sold in bakery shops across the country.[22]As a country with many immigrants, Germany has adopted many international dishes into its cuisine and daily eating habits. Italian dishes like Pizza and Pasta, Turkish and Arab dishes like Döner Kebab and Falafel are well established, especially in bigger cities.Although German wine is becoming more popular in many parts of Germany, the national alcoholic drink is beer. German beer consumption per person is declining but—at 116 litres annually—it is still among the highest in the world.[23] Furthermore, carbonated mineral water and Schorle (its mixture with fruit juice) are very popular in Germany.SportSport forms an integral part of German life. Twenty-seven million Germans are members of a sports club and an additional twelve million pursue such an activity individually.[24]Association football is the most popular sport. With more than 6.3 million official members, the German Football Association (DeutscherFußball-Bund)is the largest sports organisation of its kind worldwide.[25] The Bundesliga attracts the second highest average attendance of any professional sports league in the world. The German national football team won the FIFA World Cup in 1954, 1974 and 1990 and the UEFA European Football Championship in 1972, 1980 and 1996. Germany has hosted the FIFA World Cup in 1974 and 2006 and the UEFA European Football Championship in 1988. Among the most successful and renowned footballers are Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller, Jürgen Klinsmann, LotharMatthäus, and Oliver Kahn. Other popular spectator sports include handball, volleyball, basketball, ice hockey, and tennis.[26]Historically, German sportsmen have been some of the most successful contenders in the Olympic Games, ranking third in an all-time Olympic Games medal count, combining East and West German medals. In the 2008 Summer Olympics, Germany finished fifth in the medal count,[27] while in the 2006 Winter Olympics they finished first.[28]Germany has hosted the Summer Olympic Games twice, in Berlin in 1936 and in Munich in 1972. The Winter Olympic Games took place in Germany once in 1936 when they were staged in the Bavarian twin towns of Garmisch and Partenkirchen.SocietyGermany is a modern, advanced society, shaped by a plurality of lifestyles and regional identities.[29]The country has established a high level of gender equality, promotes disability rights, and is legally and socially tolerant towards homosexuals. Gays and lesbians can legally adopt their partner's biological children, and civil unions have been permitted since 2001.[30] The Foreign minister Guido Westerwelle and the mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit, are openly gay.[31]During the last decade of the 20th century, Germany changed its attitude towards immigrants. Until the mid-1990s the opinion was widespread that Germany is not a country of immigration, even though about 20% of the population were of non-German origin. Today the government and a majority of the German society are acknowledging that immigrants from diverse ethnocultural backgrounds are part of the German society and that controlled immigration should be initiated based onqualification standards.[32]Since the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the internal and external evaluation of Germany's national image has changed.[33]In the annual Nation Brands Index global survey, Germany became significantly and repeatedly more highly ranked after the tournament. People in 20 different states assessed the country's reputation in terms of culture, politics, exports, its people and its attractiveness to tourists, immigrants and investments. Germany has been named the world's second most valued nation among 50 countries in 2010.[34]Another global opinion poll, for the BBC, revealed that Germany is recognised for the most positive influence in the world in 2010. A majority of 59% have a positive view of the country, while 14% have a negative view.[35]When you know that all aspects of German culture, you should cancommunicate with German better. But it is not enough, you should also learn some German's taboos.Germans pay more attention to their clothes; Hand shake when meet guests and embracing when meet friends and relatives; When you call on somebody, a title must address; You should know lady first and right for respect when have a dinner party. Because many Germans are Christian and Catholic，thirteen and Friday are their taboos. When call on German, you can’t come early. Late 5-10 minutes is allowed but not more than 15 minutes. If you arrive early, stay at the door or to have a walk until the appointed time to avoid make the host hurry. If you givegifts to Germans, the inappropriate choice is knife, sword, scissors and fork, as they are bad signs.References[1]Wasser, Jeremy (6 April 2006). "Spätzle Westerns".Spiegel OnlineInternational.Retrieved 28 March 2011.[2] European Commission (2006). "Special Eurobarometer 243: Europeans and theirLanguages (Survey)" (PDF). Europa (web portal).Retrieved 3 February 2007. [3]European Commission (2004). "Many tongues, one family. Languages in theEuropean Union" (PDF). Europa (web portal).Retrieved 3 February 2007.[4] National Geographic Collegiate Atlas of the World. Willard, Ohio: R.R Donnelley& Sons Company. April 2006. pp. 257–270. ISBN Regular:0-7922-3662-9, 978-0-7922-3662-7. Deluxe:0-7922-7976-X, 978-0-7922-7976-1 Check |isbn= value (help).[5]Searle, John. (1987). The Blackwell Companion to Philosophy, "Introduction".Wiley-Blackwell.[6] Music market worth $US32 billion 7 Apr. 2004. Retrieved 2006-12-07[7] BBC Radio 1 Documentary Retrieved 2006, 10 December[8]Bordwell, David; Kristin Thompson (2003) [1994]. "The Introduction of Sound".Film History: An Introduction (2nd ed.). New York City: McGraw-Hill. p.204.ISBN 978-0-07-115141-2.[9] Country profile: Germany, BBC News. Retrieved 7 December 2007.[10] Germany – Land of ideas, nd-der-ideen.de Retrieved 12 December 2010.[11] EKD: EvangelischeKirche in Deutschland - Christen in Deutschland 2005[12] http://www.ekd.de/download/kimi_2004.pdf page 7[13] Horst, Zuse. The Life and Work of KonradZuse Everyday Practical Electronics(EPE) Online. Retrieved 2007-01-02[14] Automobile. Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2006. Retrieved 2007-01-02[15] The Zeppelin U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission. Retrieved 2007-01-02[16] Roberts, J. M. The New Penguin History of the World, Penguin History, 2002.Pg.1014. ISBN 0-14-100723-0[17] The Alfred B. Nobel Prize Winners, 1901-2003 History Channel from The WorldAlmanac and Book of Facts 2006. Retrieved 2007-01-02[18] Walhalla Ruhmes- und Ehrenhalle (in German), retrieved 3 October 2007[19] Walhalla, official guide booklet. p. 3. Translated by Helen Stellner and DavidHiley, Bernhard BosseVerlag Regensburg, 2002[20]"German food stats". . Retrieved 26 November 2007.[21] "Organic Agriculture in Germany". organic-Europe. Retrieved 26 November2007.[22] Eating the German way, Cultural Profiles Project. Retrieved 2007, 26 November.[23] 300 Types of Bread, www.germany-tourism.de. Retrieved 2007, 26 November.[24] Europe's largest beer market, . Retrieved 2007, 26 November.[25] "Germany Info: Culture & Life: Sports". Germany Embassy in Washington, D.C.Retrieved 28 December 2006.[26] "Beijing 2008 Medal Table". The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 OlympicGames.Retrieved 8 September 2008.[27] "Turin 2006 Medal Table". International Olympic Committee.Retrieved 28December 2006.[28] Society The German Mission to the United states. Retrieved 16 October 2010.[29] Germany extends gay rights . Retrieved 25 November 2007.[30]Weinthal, Benjamin (31 August 2006). "He's Gay, and That's Okay". Gay CityNews (New York).Retrieved 3 September 2009.[31]Heckmann, Friedrich (2003). The Integration of Immigrants in EuropeanSocieties: national differences and trends of convergence (Warning Germany Has No Humor). Stuttgart: Lucius & Lucius. pp. 51 ff. ISBN 978-3-8282-0181-1.Retrieved 28 October 2010.[32] How Germany won the World Cup of Nation Branding. BrandOvation.Retrieved25 November 2007.[33] "2010 Anholt-GfK Roper Nation Brands Index" (Press release). GfK. 12 October2010. Retrieved 15 October 2010.[34] "World warming to US under Obama, BBC poll suggests". BBC News Online(London). 19 April 2010. Retrieved 28 October 2010.[35] BBC World Service Poll. BBC News. Retrieved 19 April 2010.。
