denglish

Denglish is actually the term used by linguists, mainly based in Germany, to describe incorrect English as spoken by Germans whose sole contact with English is at school. It results in something that might in some case sound English but in fact is not or is used in a differnet sense than in normal English usage. Modern German features an over-use of loan words, particularly from English. Germans mistakenly think the expressions/words are correct as they use them.

Bodybag - a new Denglish word for a fashionable bag, worn over the shoulder
Last, not least - an expression used by Germans in the sense of "last, but not least"
Walking - a sport now parcticed frequently in Germany - should of course be "power walking"

by Paul Thomas May 31, 2006

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denglish

Combination of English and German spoken by expats in Germany (mostly in Berlin) and Germans who keep on switching between both languages. Words in one language are replaced by words from the other, that are more convinient or come to the speakers mind more quickly. Usually the grammar is adapted for these words so they fit into the sentence structure.

While the phenomenon of unsophisticated people ill-using english words for the sake of their approach to coolness does exist, it is usually not referred to as "denglisch".

denglish: "I don't yet have an überblick of what needs to be done. Kannst Du mir morgen helfen to plan this out?"

by BenjaminB November 18, 2006

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