A brilliant link (in German). For the non-Kraut speakers out there, the NPD, a far-right neo-Nazi party, sent a form letter to German politicians of non-German ethnic background. In it, they explained the Latin origin of the word "migrant" (and rudely addressing the recipients as such, instead of by name, claiming along the way that the Roman Empire fell because of too many migrants) and invited them to migrate out of Germany.
In response, a German politician of Turkish background replied by paraphrasing the letter, explaining the Greek origin of the word "idiot", reminding the writer that the Greeks invented democracy precisely so that idiots like the writer would never take power — and in a postscript noted that the German text of the original letter was full of punctuation and grammatical errors, which the respondent was kind enough to correct.
Nevermind that those "migrants" who destroyed the Roman Empire in the West were, uh, Germans.
Dear John,
ReplyDeleteThat is, actually, a very good point. Also, even if *certain* people might argue that 'those were Goths and Vandals, not Germans, you know, because Germans are not barbarians!!11!', it's not as if there are no Germans migrating today. :) In fact, everytime I go abroad anywhere, people I speak with always know some Germans, one way or another.
No matter, it's moments like these, when reading such a letter, that I think I ought to be ashamed to be German myself. Hopefully you did not get one of those letters, as well?
Nonetheless, the answering letter is excellent, witty and to the point. I just wanted to let you know that there is an English translation, now, in case you want to share it: http://i-blogger.de/idiots-dont-forget-about-your-roots/
Und natürlich merke ich erst jetzt, dass ich mal wieder ins Englische verfallen bin, ohne es zu merken. Wohl weil der Deutsche (oder nur ich, man sollte nicht verallgemeinern) immer versucht ist, bei jeder sich bietenden Gelegenheit Englisch zu sprechen? What can I say, it is a beautiful language!
Anyway, thank you for sharing, and best wishes,
Susan
Nope, never got such a letter myself, but I did have the NPD go marching through my neighborhood once. Wasn't a nice feeling having to explain to my half-German kids about what the NPD is and what it stands for — not least wanting people like me to leave the country. Unfortunately they misunderstood to think the NPD *would* make me leave the country and got really upset, but I was able to calm them down by reassuring them that the NPD won't be getting into power any time soon.
DeleteThanks for the English translation!
Cheers,
John