Subject
German language -- Composition and exercises Books
Best books
Sigmon M. (Sigmon Martin) Stern
Studien und Plaudereien. First Series
"Studien und Plaudereien. First Series" by Sigmon M. Stern is an introductory German language textbook designed for English-speaking children, written in the late 19th century. Specifically aimed at affluent American youth, this work provides a unique approach to learning German through conversational practice, vocabulary exercises, and cultural references of the period. The book utilizes a combination of German text and illustrations to engage young learners and foster their understanding of both the language and the broader German-speaking world. At the start of the text, readers are introduced to a classroom setting where Herr Meister, the teacher, guides his students Anna, Bella, and Louis through a series of interactive language exercises. In these exchanges, the students practice identifying colors, discussing seasons, and using basic vocabulary in complete sentences. The conversation includes examples of how to compare objects, ask questions, and express ideas, gradually building their language skills through repetition and context-based learning. The beginning establishes a collaborative and encouraging environment, showcasing the importance of dialogue in mastering a new language while also incorporating elements of culture, such as references to German literature and customs.
Hermann Lange
German composition : $b A theoretical and practical guide to the art of translating English prose into German
"German Composition: A Theoretical and Practical Guide to the Art of Translating English Prose into German" by Hermann Lange is a language-instruction manual written in the late 19th century. It teaches students to render English prose into clear, idiomatic German through a blend of concise grammar rules, guided practice, and carefully chosen texts. Aimed at classroom learners and exam candidates, it emphasizes method, accuracy, and style over word-for-word translation. The opening of the manual sets out its purpose, audience, and method in two prefaces, highlighting careful text selection, analytic translation, and extensive notes, along with a synopsis of the then-new German spelling reforms. It then gives explicit directions for use (viva voce preparation with notes, written translation, correction, and a second fluent oral rendering without notes), a lesson plan, and a list of abbreviations. The instructional content begins with brief rules on notation and core grammar points, followed by early sections that pair short English extracts with detailed guidance on issues like the passive with werden, the “zu”-infinitive (supine), rendering the gerund, pronoun and article use, relative clauses, and idiomatic choices—immediately modeling how to think through and produce correct German.
Sigmon M. (Sigmon Martin) Stern
Studien und Plaudereien im Vaterland. Second Series
"Studien und Plaudereien im Vaterland: Second Series" by Sigmon M. Stern and Menco Stern is a language learning textbook written in the late 19th century. This publication serves as a sequel to the first series, designed to help English-speaking children learn German through engaging stories and interactions among characters. It likely contains a variety of anecdotes, linguistic lessons, and cultural references that promote language acquisition through practical application. The opening of this work introduces the characters of Herr Meister, Louis, and Otto, who are excited to reunite after some time apart. The focus is on Louis, who expresses his fear of speaking German after a long absence. Herr Meister encourages him to overcome his anxiety, reinforcing the notion that language, once well-studied, will naturally reside within a learner. Additionally, the arrival of Louis's brother, Dr. Albert, adds a new social dynamic to the narrative, setting the stage for various interactions among friends and discussions about their lives, studies, and experiences related to both the German language and culture.
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