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Reading andromacha's journal

Today I had one of the last lessons of German language of the whole semester. Whoohoo!!! We've been losing two hours naming objects which are common in many places, like Büro, Küche, Bauernhof und so weiter. Bah!! She didn't think about explaining grammar rules... Noo... she was more interested in wondering if we know how to say dustbin in German!

I mean, not that it doesn't matter at all, but since we're going to be tested mostly on grammar rules, and that we're supposed to know German grammar perfectly within 3 months or so, it would be better if we dedicated more hours to grammar reviews and so on. I guess that you can study your vocabolary much more comfortably at home.

Also, she's been talking about the new reform on German language, but you think we've understood what she was talking about? The only thing I got is that now you have to put ss instead of the beta letter (sorry German guys, I know it has its proper name in German, but I have really no idea about how to spell it :P). She also said that we're not supposed to change the beta into ss always, but she didn't mention which are the cases we're supposed to do that. Anyone can help me, please?

Un bacio è un'apostrofo rosa scritto tra le parole "ti amo".

This post was edited by andromacha on Jan 14, 2003.

Use a Swiss dictionary. We always use "ss".

:-)

"*sigh* Some men are really hard to manipulate!" - Orchid

She also said that we're not supposed to change the beta into ss always, but she didn't mention which are the cases we're supposed to do that. Anyone can help me, please?

If the vocal preceding the ss/ß is pronounced in a long fashion, you still use the beta ("Straaaaaaaße"). Also proper names remain written as always (= surnames will not be written differently).

For all other cases use ss.

There are some other things to look out for, but most of it looks funny for eyes used to the old spelling. I'm out of school so I can allow myself to write the old fashioned way now.

'Yeah, That's what Jesus would do. Jesus would bomb Afghanistan. Yeah.' - snowlion

Thanks so much for your help, Jaz. Yes, I can choose between the old and new German as well. Our teacher in fact said that if we keep using the beta letter (once again, I don't know how to spell its proper name, and I apologize) she won't count that as a mistake assuming that we keep using it in a coherent way in each tests we'll have to take in June.

Actually, if I really have to be honest, I prefer the beta letter as well. I've always liked that way of writing things, and when she first wrote "dass" I remember that I thought "What the heck is that?!"
Well, at least NOW I know the right way of using the double ss. I am very glad there are guys out there ready to help you when you need to. :)

Un bacio è un'apostrofo rosa scritto tra le parole "ti amo".