The German language

Abstract

Mark Twain has of course skewered the German language to his heart's delight (see A Tramp Abroad). I will comment on the language as a native speaker who is not bothered by the fact that girls in Germany are neutered (das Mädchen) or that a woman is not neutered but becomes masculine in (of all cases) the genitive form (der Frau). However, when you meet two or more girls they regain their femininity (die Mädchen). So when you encounter Mädchen, pay close attention to the article (no pun). Depending on der, die or das, dem, des or den you would know their number (hmm) and whether they are doing something or something is being done to them. Some language! (In Dutch, by the way, a girl is also neutered (het Meisje) but at least she keeps her other feminine assets intact (haar moeder—her mother; haar haar—her hair, etc.).