English has become the global language of research, but German thrives in some unexpected pockets, reports Inga Vesper.
The German word sprachlos translates into English as ‘speechless’, but the two words don’t mean quite the same thing. Speechlessness denotes a temporary inability to speak due to shock, whereas sprachlos means lost language—literally being unable to vocalise one’s thoughts.
Such nuances make languages unique. They provide more than just the ability to transfer information, conveying emotion, memory, analysis and philosophy. With English accepted as the international norm in science, where does that leave other languages, such as German?
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