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Ulrich Flemming

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Wild Things In The German Language: They Exist Only In The Dictionary. Kindle Interactive Edition

by Ulrich Flemming (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.1 69 ratings

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Wild Things In The German Language is a book for people interested in German who want to increase their vocabulary, as language lovers or students. It's also a book for people who know that words linked to images find their way into long-term memory without repetitive or boring drills. This (the 3rd) edition contains audio clips demonstrating how each word is pronounced in German. But note that these clips are currently available only on 3rd generation or newer Kindle Fire tablets.

The book focuses on one of the real strengths of the German language, its use of compound words to evoke common experiences or states of mind. In particular, the focus is on compound words that attach a certain feeling, character trait, attitude, or habit to an animal (or, in a few cases, a plant). An example is "Dreckspatz," which combines "Dreck" (dirt) and "Spatz" (sparrow) to refer to a person, especially a child, prone to get dirty, for example, by playing in the mud, all the while showing little interest in cleanliness. Another example is "Rabeneltern," which identifies the kinds of parents who are more focused on themselves than on their kids.

The challenge was to depict these "creatures" through drawings that make the connection to an existing animal or plant clear, but imbue them at the same time with the characteristics a particular word refers to. The book will have achieved its goal if it makes readers smile or, for students of German, lighten the essentially arduous task of memorizing words in that language.

In studying the words illustrated in the book, readers will not only learn these words as they stand, they'll also learn the components out of which the words are formed. Take again "Rabeneltern" as an example: It introduces the word for parents, "Eltern," and the accompanying text furthermore introduces "Vater" (father) and "Mutter" (mother). That is, the vocabulay presented to readers is larger than it appears at first sight.

The author has been racking his brain to find all German words that would qualify as valid entries in his book; that is, compound words describing creatures that do not exist, in the literal sense, in the animal or plant kingdom, but are strictly language constructs. In other words, the book is as long as the author could possibly make it.

Have fun!

About the Author

*1941 in Mayen, Germany Taught architecture and computer-aided design at German and American Universities. Lives in Northford, CT --This text refers to the paperback edition.

Print length

62 pages
Language

English
Sticky notes

Not Enabled
Publication date

December 19, 2016
File size

15185 KB
Page Flip

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Word Wise

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Enhanced typesetting

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Due to its large file size, this book may take longer to download
This Print Replica book features interactive content which is only supported on Fire Tablets (3rd Generation and above) and Kindle apps for Android phones and tablets. Customers who download this book to other devices will receive a standard Print Replica book.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01N7K83JH
Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 19, 2016
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 15185 KB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Not enabled
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 62 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #1,387,061 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #370 in German Language Instruction (Kindle Store)
- #469 in 90-Minute Humor & Entertainment Short Reads
- #2,570 in Cat, Dog & Animal Humor

Customer Reviews:
4.1 69 ratings

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About the author

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Ulrich Flemming

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Ulrich Flemming is a retired Professor of Architecture. Born in Germany, he first came to the US as a postgraduate student and has taught architectural composition and computer-aided design at German and American universities. He now lives in Northford, CT.

He rediscovered his love of photography after his wife gave him a digital camera for Christmas in 2004. "Found Art Around the World" is the first and "Animal Portraits" the second book of photographs he has published. "Wild Things in the German Language" is his first book of drawings.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5

69 global ratings

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Sonatina

Fun way to learn new words, get insight into a language

Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2012

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This book is absolutely charming. I wish I could learn all my new vocabulary this way!

When you read a dictionary, you're always drawn to the words with illustrations, right?
Well, in a "normal" dicionary, these particular words would never have an illustrations, because as the author says, they are not things that actually "exist".
Mr. Flemming fills that gap with his imagination, artistry, and insight into the German and English languages.

This will really appeal to young learners, and might even inspire them to create their own illustrations for other compound words.

Ganz toll, Herr Flemming!

Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2015

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This book is an excellent addition to the library of any serious student of the German language. It is more appropriate to an intermediate- to advanced-level student with a good command of vocabulary. I liked especially the information given on the etymology of the terms.

The book is short-57 pages- and could be much more comprehensive, but given the negligible price, it is well worth adding to your library.

2 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer "Germanist"

Short book

Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2015

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Not expensive but it is a pretty short book.

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Richard

A Fun Book for German Language Students

Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2015

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This book is very enjoyable to read. The illustrations are well done and helpful. If you are learning German, this book provides a welcome change of pace from vocabulary and grammar drills. The length is rather short, and I wish it were longer.

One person found this helpful

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burfee

Funny German Words

Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2012

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Being of German birth, I had heard most of these words. It was great to read how these words were put together and what they mean. Loved the illustrations!!! There should have been more though - too short!

3 people found this helpful

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Anthony Metivier

Wonderful

Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2012

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Albeit short, this is a great little visual read. The drawings are outstanding, the word choices fascinating and the explanations very clear. I am enjoying being able to think back to the images and reconstruct the words in my mind.

Please, Herr Flemming, write us a sequel!

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Zeljka

Fun to read, pity it is too short

Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2012

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This booklet would be fun to read for every German language learner, the pictures are nice and the explanation for each word thorough, so it is pity it didn't have more interesting words to offer.

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M. L. Blue

Enjoying the German Language

Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2012

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You will enjoy "Wild Things in the German Language" if you speak German or are trying to learn German. It is a humorous little book with delightful illustrations. The book may be a help or make a great present for anyone who teaches or studies German.

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Cristhian.fe

Great

Reviewed in Italy on May 16, 2014

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Really enjoy this one as for the content as well as for the history and curiosities on it must give it a try

Barbara Wutkewicz

Glückspilz

Reviewed in Germany on March 26, 2014

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Die Überschrift trifft meine Wahl dieses Buches.Ich fliege in 4Tagen nach Texas zu meinem Sohn und Familie .Da ich dort vorwiegend englisch sprechen werde,diente es als Vorbereitung.
Die Wahl dieses Buches war hervorragend.Ich lese es gleich “once more“.
Ich hoffe mein Sohn findet Zeit, meine Freude zu teilen.

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Blueflame

Good

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 27, 2014

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another book that is useful to help complete one's learning of the German language, which can be rather difficult. try it.

Ray Shepherd

Two Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 7, 2014

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good

MrsSpuck

Auch für deutsche Muttersprachler eine kurzweilige Unterhaltung

Reviewed in Germany on January 31, 2013

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Ich lese gern Bücher, die sich mit Sprache beschäftigen. Darum hat mich auch dieses Buch interessiert, obwohl es sich v.a. an Englisch sprechende richtet (neben der Bedeutung der Begriffe gibt es auch Aussprachehinweise). Als deutscher Muttersprachler bekommt man eine nette Zusammenstellung von Begriffen, wobei ich besonders die Wortherkunft interessant fand. Dazu gibt es hübsche Illustrationen.
Das Buch hätte aber durchaus länger sein dürfen. ;-)

Das einzige, was ich kritisch anmerke: Es gibt nur ein Inhaltsverzeichnis als Linkliste und leider kein ins eBook eingebettetes.

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Wild Things In The German Language: They Exist Only In The Dictionary. Kindle Interactive Edition

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About the author

Ulrich Flemming

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