Subject
German language -- Grammar Books
Best books
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.
Gustav Wustmann
Allerhand Sprachdummheiten Kleine deutsche Grammatik des Zweifelhaften, des Falschen und des Häßlichen
"Allerhand Sprachdummheiten" by Gustav Wustmann is a linguistic guide written in the late 19th to early 20th century. This work serves as a compact grammar reference focusing on the intricacies, peculiarities, and common errors of the German language. Its objective is to refine the reader's understanding of German grammar and stylistics while encouraging a more natural and elegant use of the language. The opening of the book presents a series of introductory remarks and an overview of its structure. It clarifies that the intention behind "Sprachdummheiten" is not merely to serve as a basic grammar manual but rather as a thoughtful resource for those interested in mastering the nuances of the German language. Wustmann emphasizes that readers must engage deeply with the material to sharpen their linguistic instincts and combat the rising informalities within the language. This introductory section sets the stage for the exploration of grammatical rules and their common misapplications that will follow in the main content of the book.
Hermann Bohm
Kleine deutsche Sprachlehre
"Kleine deutsche Sprachlehre" by Hermann Bohm and Walter Steinert is a comprehensive guide to the German language written in the late 19th century. This educational publication intends to provide students with a succinct compilation of essential grammatical rules and structures necessary for mastering their native language in both speaking and writing. The work is structured to facilitate learning and understanding of the intricacies of German grammar for children and teachers alike. At the start of the text, the authors present a preface that outlines the purpose and structure of the language guide. They emphasize that this compilation is not designed to serve as a formal course but rather as a practical resource for students and educators. The opening further clarifies that the material included aims to enhance students' familiarity with grammatical forms and rules, akin to mastering arithmetic patterns. The authors also acknowledge previous editions and subtly note updates in orthography, aiming to maintain relevance and clarity for modern learners. The foundational principles of the work are introduced through a systematic breakdown of word classes and grammatical forms, which sets the stage for subsequent sections focusing on deeper linguistic structures.
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