German Fairy Tales
German fairy tales have left an unforgettable mark on the world of culture and literature. The recording and writing of traditional German stories by the Grimm Brothers has played a vital role in preserving the German language and its regional dialects while providing an endless source of inspiration to artists and writers, including J.R.R Tolkien and Charles Dickens.
History Of German Fairy Tales
Germany is a country that is rich in tradition and folklore. Many of our favourite fairy tales have in fact originated from Germany and were primarily aimed at an adult audience, passed down between generations through word of mouth. During the early 1800’s German brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm feared these stories would be lost. Together, they travelled throughout rural Germany to collect and record them.
Their first edition published in 1812 as Kinder- und Hausmärchen (Children’s and Household Tales), now known as ‘Grimms’ Fairy Tales’, contained 86 stories and took inspiration form iconic German castles, towns and forests. The book contained famous tales such as Hänsel und Gretel (Hansel and Gretel), Aschenputtel (Cinderella) and Sneewittchen (Snow White) which went on to inspire countless films and productions, in particular those by Disney.
Language And Linguistics
An interesting aspect that stands out within these German fairy tales is the use of language. The Grimms were philologists who strove to preserve the vernacular speech of the storytellers they encountered. Adding an additional level of authenticity and depth, archaic phrases and words that have since been forgotten were conserved to reflect the period from which they were recorded. The tales were also rich in regional dialects, reflecting the linguistic diversity of Germany before it first became a unified nation in 1871.
German Language Learning
German fairy tales are valuable tool to help aid German language learners, offering an opportunity to expand vocabulary and discover the greater nuances of the language, from everyday words to more unique terms. Recurring themes are an ideal way to help reinforce language patterns and sentence structure while the vernacular speech patterns offer a deep appreciation of the evolution of the language and its beliefs and traditions through the ages.
Fairy tales are not just a reflection of the past, they are continually adapted to suit modern tastes and align with contemporary values. Disney has famously done this with many of its live-action reimaginings, such as The Little Mermaid, which saw greater gender diversity and a stronger female empowered roles. They remain a testament to the endurance and influence of these original German stories.
If you would like to study German, Oxford Open Learning offer the chance to do so at IGCSE level. You can also Contact Us.
Gavin Crewe is a regular contributor of informative articles to Oxford Home Schooling.
German Fairy Tales
German fairy tales have left an unforgettable mark on the world of culture and literature. The recording and writing of traditional German stories by the Grimm Brothers has played a vital role in preserving the German language and its regional dialects while providing an endless source of inspiration to artists and writers, including J.R.R Tolkien and Charles Dickens.
History Of German Fairy Tales
Germany is a country that is rich in tradition and folklore. Many of our favourite fairy tales have in fact originated from Germany and were primarily aimed at an adult audience, passed down between generations through word of mouth. During the early 1800’s German brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm feared these stories would be lost. Together, they travelled throughout rural Germany to collect and record them.
Their first edition published in 1812 as Kinder- und Hausmärchen (Children’s and Household Tales), now known as ‘Grimms’ Fairy Tales’, contained 86 stories and took inspiration form iconic German castles, towns and forests. The book contained famous tales such as Hänsel und Gretel (Hansel and Gretel), Aschenputtel (Cinderella) and Sneewittchen (Snow White) which went on to inspire countless films and productions, in particular those by Disney.
Language And Linguistics
An interesting aspect that stands out within these German fairy tales is the use of language. The Grimms were philologists who strove to preserve the vernacular speech of the storytellers they encountered. Adding an additional level of authenticity and depth, archaic phrases and words that have since been forgotten were conserved to reflect the period from which they were recorded. The tales were also rich in regional dialects, reflecting the linguistic diversity of Germany before it first became a unified nation in 1871.
German Language Learning
German fairy tales are valuable tool to help aid German language learners, offering an opportunity to expand vocabulary and discover the greater nuances of the language, from everyday words to more unique terms. Recurring themes are an ideal way to help reinforce language patterns and sentence structure while the vernacular speech patterns offer a deep appreciation of the evolution of the language and its beliefs and traditions through the ages.
Fairy tales are not just a reflection of the past, they are continually adapted to suit modern tastes and align with contemporary values. Disney has famously done this with many of its live-action reimaginings, such as The Little Mermaid, which saw greater gender diversity and a stronger female empowered roles. They remain a testament to the endurance and influence of these original German stories.
If you would like to study German, Oxford Open Learning offer the chance to do so at IGCSE level. You can also Contact Us.
Richard Tubb is an editor of blog content submitted to Oxford Home Schooling.