Please direct all comments or requests for information to |
|||||||||||||||||||||
WWW = Free on World Wide Web
UIUC = UIUC affiliates only
Learn German
Language Textbooks & Manuals
438.3421B193c (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Lib.)
Baldwin, Shirley and Sarah Boas. Conversational German in 7 days. Lincolnwood, Ill.: Passport Books, 1998.
A short course dealing with every day situations in German-speaking countries. Includes dialogues, key phrases, basic grammatical explanations and answer key.
438.2421B768ag (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Lib.)
Briggs, Jeanine and Beate Engel-Doyle. Alles in Allem: an intermediate German course: grammar. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1995.
Part of a series that also includes Alles in Allem: an intermediate German course: readings & activities, available at the Mod. Lang. & Ling. Lib (438.2421B768ar). Intermediate German course offering complete language program to students who have completed any first-year German course. Contains twelve independent chapters complete with explanations and examples. A wide variety of exercises aimed at assessing comprehension of grammar principles and application thereof.
438.3421C462g (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Lib.)
Christensen, Paulina and Anne Fox. German for dummies. New York: Hungry Minds, 2000.
This resource is based on the Berlitz approach and is designed for beginning-language learners of German. The main focus is on basic grammar, pronunciation, and the usage of German in everyday situations. Includes verb tables, mini dictionary, list of CD tracks, answer keys, and index. A dialogue and pronunciation audio CD is also available.
438.2421c813s1989 (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Lib.)
Corl, Kathryn A., Barbara S. Jurasek, and Richard T. Jurasek. Sprechen wir Deutsch! 2nd ed. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1989.
A textbook for beginning-language learners. Focuses on helping students acquire communication skills within culturally significant contexts.
438.2421D938u2003 cop.1 (Modern Languages Reserves) and 438.2421D938u2003 cop.2 (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Lib.)
Durrell, Martin. Using German: a guide to contemporary usage. Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge University Press, 2003.
For students who have basic knowledge of German and wish to extend their fluency and confidence. Incorporates important information on recent trends and changes in the German language, including the 1998 spelling reforms.
438.2421F322g (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Lib.)
Fehringer, Carol. German grammar in context: analysis and practice. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2002.
Text-based reference grammar aimed at first- and second-year students. Each chapter presents authentic German texts to illustrate a particular grammatical topic. Includes exercises at the end of each chapter.
438.3421H557s (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Lib.)
Hiller, Renate. Spoken German for students and travelers. Lexington, Mass.: Heath, 1980.
Basic conversational text for beginners as well as those who have already a foundation in the language. Dialogs include factual information and provide some background on German customs. Can also be utilized as a phrasebook.
438.2421St59 (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Lib.)
Lixl-Purcell, Andreas. Stimmen eines Jahrhunderts 1888-1990: Deutsche Autobiographien, Tabebücher, Bilder und Briefe. Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1990.
Illustrated textbook for German conversation and composition above the elementary level. Contains 36 German reading selections with over a hundred illustrations. Short English introductions provide background information on key figures and various developments of German cultural history. Glossaries opposite each reading facilitate comprehension of the text. Includes different types of exercises aimed at advancing oral and written proficiency.
438.2421W462h1997 (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Lib.)
Wells, Larry D. Handbuch zur deutschen Grammatik: wiederholen und anwenden. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1997.
A reference and review grammar for second- and third-year German students who are familiar with the basics of German vocabulary and grammar. Presents clear and complete explanations of all major grammar topics and provides exercises on these topics. Chapters are organized into grammar, vocabulary and summary sections.
Reading Guides
438.2421B768ar (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Lib.)
Briggs, Jeanine and Beate Engel-Doyle. Alles in Allem: an intermediate German course: readings & activities. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1995.
Part of a series that also includes Alles in Allem: an intermediate German course: grammar, available at the Mod. Lang. & Ling. Lib (438.2421B768ag). Intermediate German course offering complete language program to students who have completed any first-year German course. Includes short literary selections by contemporary German-speaking authors and authentic journalistic texts. Contains twelve independent chapters complete with explanations, examples and exercise materials.
438.6421F117 (Stacks)
Coombs, Virginia M. et al. Facetten: dreimal beleuchtet: an intermediate German reader. New York: Harper & Row, 1989.
This book is aimed at intermediate and advanced students of German. Each of the twelve chapters contains three reading selections: general culture, popular science and literature. Includes exercises for comprehension and vocabulary, topics for essays and discussions, grammar notes and end vocabulary.
438.6421H12E1992 (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Lib.)
Crossgrove, Hannelore and William C. Crossgrove . Graded German reader: erste Stufe. 3rd ed. Lexington, Mass.: Heath, 1992.
Graded reader intended for first year students of German. Includes basic vocabulary and cognates, idiomatic expressions, exercises in reading comprehension, vocabulary acquisition and word-building techniques, footnotes throughout the text, and verb appendix.
438.6D5491989 (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Lib.)
Dichter, Denker und Erzähler: a German reader. Edited by Peter Heller and Edith Ehrlich. Prospect Heights, Ill.: Waveland Press, 1989.
Reader for the intermediate and advanced levels of study in German. Also intended as a first introduction to the range of German literature and thought from the eighteenth century to the present. Includes short introductory passages to each writer and his work. The end vocabulary includes all German words that occur in the text.
438.6421D489 (Stacks)
Konrad, Roselinde and Kim Vivian. Deutsche Literatur. New York: Random House, 1982.
This reader is primarily intended for college students with one year of German. The book is divided into fourteen chapters on different topics. Each chapter includes a brief introduction to the author, a list of essential vocabulary, marginal vocabulary, exercises on comprehension, vocabulary and grammar.
438.6421K847a (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Lib.)
Kossuth, Karen C. and David R. Antal. Alte Legenden und neue Literatur. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1986.
This reader provides students of beginning and intermediate German insight into the culture of the German-speaking countries. It includes twentieth century works by authors from Austria, Switzerland, and Germany and folk tales and legends from the folklore of these countries. Each unit consists of a short biography of the author or background information on the legend or folktale, a list of target vocabulary, a multiple-choice quiz on the major aspects of the text, vocabulary exercises and a vocabulary quiz.
438.64K89m (Undergrad. Lib.)
Kritsch, Erna and Alice Schlimbach. Moderne Erzählungen für die Unter- und Mittelstufe. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1964.
A collection of graded short stories written in conversational German for second-year students of German. Includes basic vocabulary, marginal vocabulary for each text, short biographies of authors, list of idiomatic expressions, vocabulary building exercises and comprehensive end vocabulary.
438.6421T876d (Stacks)
Tussing, Marjorie and Jon E. Zimmermann. Deutsch im Kontext: Lesebuch. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1982.
This reader is intended for intermediate learners of German. It is divided into ten chapters, which include topics such as people and their lands, language and history, cultural life, environmental issues etc. Sources of the texts include newspapers, magazines, interviews, cartoons, cultural materials and original works of literature. Each chapter includes comprehension questions, vocabulary exercises and activities to stimulate conversation.
438.6421W14s1980 (Stacks)
Walbruck, Harry A. Spannende Geschichten: A graded reader for intermediate students. Skokie, Ill.: National Textbook Company, 1980.
Graded reader for intermediate level students of German. Contains 10 mystery stories narrated in colloquial modern German with exercises for grammar, comprehension and vocabulary. Includes marginal vocabulary and alphabetical end vocabulary.
438.6421W14l1981 (Stacks)
Walbruck, Harry A. and Astrid Henschel . Lustige Geschichten: A graded reader for beginning students. Skokie, Ill.: National Textbook Company, 1981.
Graded reader for beginning students of German. Contains 30 humorous stories with cultural references. Provides varied, graded exercises for grammar, comprehension and vocabulary. Includes marginal vocabulary and alphabetical end vocabulary.
Internet Resources
Online Audio Materials through Lincoln Trail Libraries
Link to the Lincoln Trail Library Systems website to search for audio materials available through MyMediaMall. For DVDs, CDs or VHS, search here to see titles in Lincoln Trail libraries.
BBC's German Language Homepage
Includes "German steps" (a self-contained online course for beginners) and several intermediate-level activities, including slang, transcripts of a travel documentary, and more.
Free online interactive instruction in the German language for beginning and intermediate level. Includes vocabulary builders, grammar exercises, culture pages, idioms, action mazes and more.
Concise and clear explanation of German grammar with exercises; excellent site for beginners.
Commercial site intended for beginners. Wide variety of multimedia exercises; concise, readable explanations. Includes grammar, vocabulary drills, dictionary and culture pages.
10 lessons for beginners and 24 grammar lessons for advanced learners. Includes numerous interactive exercises, introduction to new German orthography and two online tests to evaluate and improve German proficiency.
Dictionaries
Online German-English Dictionary
Bilingual
433C693 2005a (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Collins German Dictionary. Glasgow: HarperCollins, 2005.
This is a comprehensive bilingual dictionary with emphasis on contemporary language. Contains up-to-date vocabulary from a broad range of areas, including business, computing, the environment, politics, medicine, and the Internet. In addition, the dictionary contains sections on grammar, language in use, numerals, weights and measures, time and date, the German spelling reform, and an appendix with German and English regular and irregular verbs.
Q.433.1 W3l 1996 (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Springer, Otto. Langenscheidts enzyklopädisches Wörterbuch der englischen und deutschen Sprache: "Der Grosse Muret-Sanders" = Langenscheidt's Encyclopaedic Dictionary of the English and German Languages. 4 vols.. Berlin; New York: Langenscheidt, 1996.
Thorough, a superb two language dictionary.
* PART I: 2 Volumes, Englisch-Deutsch
* PART II: 2 Volumes, Deutsch-Englisch
433.21 C692 1992 (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Webster's New World German Dictionary, concise ed. New York, Prentice Hall 1992.
A standard American version of the two language dictionary.
433.21 Ox2 2005 (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Oxford-Duden German dictionary : German-English/English-German. 3rd Edition. Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2005.
This edition has been updated to include the latest vocabulary. Thousands of new words and phrases have been added. It also contains a section on the life and culture of the German- and English-speaking countries of the world. Boxed notes are provided throughout the dictionary to clarify important areas of grammar and vocabulary. Appendices include revision of German spelling, outline of German grammatical forms, key points of German orthography and punctuation, outline of English grammatical forms, punctuation in English, irregular verbs in German and English and glossary of grammatical terms.
433.21Ox224 2004
Oxford Color German Dictionary Plus. Revised 2nd edition. Oxford University Press: 2004.
Contains over 100,000 words, phrases and translations. "Color" refers to the words to be translated; in the German to English section the words to be translated from German appear in blue, as do the English words to be translated in the English to German section. Highlighting words makes the dictionary very user friendly, particularly for finding colloquialisms.
433.21C748 2005 (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Concise Oxford-Duden German Dictionary : German-English/English-German. 3rd editionOxford : Oxford University Press, 2000.
This new concise edition has a new more visual format and enlarged and updated to include new vocabulary and recent developments in German. A special feature is the section on German holidays, culture, and letter writing. The dictionary's layout makes it easy to consult.
Monolingual
433 X6G 1993 (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Drosdowski, Günther. Duden, das grosse Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache in acht Bänden, 2., völlig neu bearbeitete und stark erweiterte Auflage. Mannheim: Dudenverlag, 1993-1995.
A standard, unabridged German dictionary in eight volumes.
433 W7 2006 (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Wahrig, Gerhard. Deutsches Wörterbuch: mit einem Lexikon der Deutschen Sprachlehre, 8., vollständige neu bearbeitete und aktualisierte Auflage. München: Bertelsmann, 2006.
A standard, one volume German dictionary with a section on German grammar.
431 D86r (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Duden, Die deutsche Rechtschreibung. Mannheim: Dudenverlag, 2004.
Historical
433 FI3 (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Adelung, Johann Christoph. Grammatisch-kritisches Wörterbuch der Hochdeutschen Mundart: mit beständiger Vergleichung der übrigen Mundarten, besonders aber der Oberdeutschen, zweyte vermehrte und verbesserte Auflage. Leipzig: Breitkopf, 1793.
An 18th Century dictionary of the German literary language, commonly referred to as New High German. (4 Volumes, with a Supplement)
433 G7 (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Campe, Joachim Heinrich. Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache. Braunschweig: Schulbuchhandlung, 1807.
An early 19th Century dictionary of the German literary language, commonly referred to as New High German. (5 Volumes)
433 L4 1984 (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Grimm, Jakob Ludwig Karl und Wilhelm Grimm. Deutsches Wörterbuch. Leipzig: Hirzel, 1854-1960.
The work is a dictionary of the New High German Language that took over 100 years to complete. This edition is a compilation of all previously published sections of the dictionary which were published out of sequence. The dictionary was originally commissioned by the German Reich and Prussia.
Etymological
432 h325 (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Herkunftswörterbuch. 4., vollständig neu bearbeitete und aktualisierte Auflage. Ed. Ursula Hermann. Gütersloh: Wissen Media Verlag, 2003.
The main focus of this etymological dictionary is on the origin of foreign words in the German language. Concise and very easy to use. Contains over 10,000 entries, including new terms and expressions.
432 K71E 2002 (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Kluge, Friedrich. Etymologisches Wörterbuch der deustchen Sprache. 24 Auflage. New York: Walther de Gruyter, 2002.
An etymological dictionary which traces the origin German words. Easy to use, considered the standard German etymological dictionary. The 2002 edition includes a CD-Rom which can be used in the Modern Languages and Linguistics Library.
430.04203Or34h (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Orel , Vladimir. A Handbook of Germanic Etymology. Boston : Brill, 2003.
This book represents a reconstruction of the Proto-Germanic vocabulary as attested in ancient and modern Germanic languages and projected to the Proto-Germanic level. The volume contains valuable linguistic information giving an outline of Proto-Germanic language, culture and pre-historic tradition.
432 ET94 (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Pfeifer, Wolfgang. Etymologisches Wörterbuch des Deutschen, (3 Bände). Berlin: Akademie Verlag, 1989.
An etymological dictionary which traces the origin of the most frequently used German words.
Visual
433 V8D 1992 (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Meyers Lexikonredaktion in Zusammenarbeit mit der Duden Redaktion. Bildwörterbuch der deutschen Sprache. Mannheim: Dudenverlag, 1992.
An excellent illustrated dictionary of "things" in context. For example, the illustration of an automobile includes every technical part imaginable. No definitions are provided, just visual representations. Contains index.
433 OX202 1994 (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Dudenredaktion and the German Section of the Oxford University Press Dictionary Department. The Oxford-Duden Pictorial German-English Dictionary. Oxford, Clarendon, 1994.
An excellent two language illustrated dictionary of "things" in context (from industry to recreation). For example, there is a diagram of the components of a personal computer. Each of the components are labeled in German and English. No definitions are provided, just visual representations. (An index is included).
Slang
437.09 K965I (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Küpper, Heinz. Illustriertes Lexikon der deutschen Umgangssprache (8 Bände). Stuttgart: E. Klett, 1982.
This comprehensive dictionary of slang and standard vocabulary includes numerous color photographs (pictures, works of art, and some advertisements). The illustrations provide contextual clues to common slang terms and concepts.
Idiom
433.1 D837D 2002 (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Drosdowski, Günther und Werner Scholze-Stubenrecht. Redewendungen und sprichwörtliche Redensarten: Wörterbuch der deutschen Idiomatik. Mannheim: Dundenverlag, 2002.
(VOLUME 11 of Der Duden in 12 Bänden: Das Standardwerk zur deutschen Sprache). A guide to frequently used idioms in the German language. Contains examples and good definitions.
438.03 L973G (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Lupson, J. Peter. Guide to German Idioms = Sprachführer zu Deutschen Idiomen. Lincolnwood, IL:Passport Books, 1984.
The guide is organized by topic in English, with specific idioms listed under each heading. It contains the most commonly used idioms in everyday usage. Provides examples, contains an index.
438.3 R636L 1991 (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Röhrich, Lutz. Das Grosse Lexikon der sprichwörtlichen Redensarten (3 Bände). Freiburg: Herder, 1991.
A comprehensive, illustrated guide to common expressions, idioms and colloquialisms in the German language. Each entry contains a definition, examples of usage, and the origin of the idiom if one is known. It is an excellent, scholarly work with bibliographical references and an index.
433.31 SCh26g (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Schemann, Hans and Paul Knight. German - English Dictionary of Idioms. London: Routledge, 1995.
German idioms sorted alphabetically by keyword, with English translation and example of the idiom in print.
Quotation
808.8B848g 1993 (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Geflügelte Worte: Der klassische Zitatenschatz. Frankfurt/Main, Germany: Ullstein, 1993.
This volume contains quotations, which have become detached from their original literary context and have been integrated into everyday usage of German. The entries are organized by country of origin. Includes name index and quotation index.
Synonym
435 B872 2003 (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Bulitta, Erich und Hildegard Bulitta. Wörterbuch der Synonyme und Antonyme: Sinn- und sachverwandte Wörter und Begriffe sowie deren Gegenteil und Bedeutungsvarianten. Franfurt: Kruger, 2004.
Contains both synonyms and antonyms to frequently used words. Synonyms are in the left on column on each page, and antonyms are in the right column.
433.1 D8633 1986 (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Drosdowski, Günther und Wolfgang Müller. Sinn- und sachverwandte Wörter: Wörterbuch der treffenden Ausdrücke. 2., neu bearbeitete erweiterte und aktualisierte Auflage. Mannheim: Duden Verlag, 1986.
(VOLUME 8 of Der Duden in 12 Bänden: Das Standardwerk zur deutschen Sprache). This synonym dictionary aids in the selection of the right word (or phrase) for use in a particular context. Because the dictionary contains many cross-references, the work is extremely useful.
433.1 R119K (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Radszuweit, Siegrid und Martha Spalier. Knaurs Lexikon der sinnverwandten Wörter: 20000 Stichwörter mit ihren Synonymen. München: Knaur, 1982.
A standard dictionary of synonyms.
Reverse
433.1 L51r (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Lee, Duk Ho. Rückläufiges Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter, 2005.
This is a reverse dictionary in which the headwords are organized alphabetically from the back. The use of different typefaces facilitates overview and use of the dictionary. The publisher describes the work as a "combination of a reverse dictionary and a dictionary of word families". It contains approximately 270,000 entries.
Grammars & manuals of style
438.2421 D938u 2003 (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Durrell, Martin. Using German: A Guide to Contemporary Usage, 2d edition. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2003.
One volume in a series from Cambridge University Press, this revised guide presents an easy-to-use reference for those students of German seeking to improve their fluency and confidence. Focusing upon the needs of the English-speaking student of German, this volume provides material on recent trends in German, including spelling reforms of 1998, as well as variations in style and register across a variety of German-speaking regions. Includes index.
438.50625P 1995 (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Dippmann, Gerda. A Practical Review of German Grammar, 3rd edition. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2000.
A standard textbook on German grammar.
435 D863 1998 (Modern Languages Reserve Desk)
Drosdowski, Günther. Grammatik der deutschen Gegenwartssprache, 6., völlig neu bearbeitete und erweiterte Auflage. Mannheim: Dudenverlag, 1998.
(VOLUME 4 of Der Duden in 12 Bänden: Das Standardwerk zur deutschen Sprache). A thorough text on German grammar from the pronunciation of words to the construction of the sentence and all of its respective components.
433 D8632 1988 (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Drosdowski, Günther. Stilwörterbuch der deutschen Sprache: Die Verwendung der Wörter im Satz, 7., völlig neu bearbeitete und erweiterte Auflage. Mannheim: Dudenverlag, 1988.
(VOLUME 2 of Der Duden in 12 Bänden: Das Standardwerk zur deutschen Sprache). Provides examples of each word in numerous sentences to demonstrate usage in different contexts.
438.2421 M72 2003 (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Modern German grammar: a practical guide, 2nd ed. Eds. Bill Dodd et al. London; New York: Routledge, 2003.
This volume is divided into two parts. Part A covers traditional grammatical categories. Part B is focused on language functions such as apologizing, expressing regret, voicing an opinion, etc. Includes index.
Histories of the German language
430.9 B12G1970 (Main Lib. Stacks)
Bach, Adolf. Geschichte der deutschen Sprache, A., durchgesehene Auflage. Heidelberg, Quelle & Meyer, 1970.
A standard text on the origin and evolution of the German language, with some emphasis on regional dialects.
430.9 SP71 (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Besch, Werner, Oskar Reichmann, und Stefan Sonderegger. Sprachgeschichte: Ein Handbuch zur deutschen Sprache und ihrer Erforschung. Walter de Gruyter: Berlin, 1984.
(Volumes 2.1 and 2.2 of(Handbücher zur Sprach- und Kommunikationswissenschaft) A thorough, scholarly work that contains signed articles on topics in the history of the German language. Each article contains bibliographical references. There are separate subject and name indexes.
430.9 W31H 1976 (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Waterman, John T. A History of the German Language: with special reference to the cultural and social forces that shaped the standard literary language. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1966.
Traces the origin of the German language from its Indo-European roots to the modern literary language. Includes bibliographical references and an index.
Phonology & morphology
431.5 B44P (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Lib.)
Benware, Wilbur A. Phonetics and Phonology of Modern German: An Introduction. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press, 1986.
An introductory text on German phonetics and phonology.
431.5 M86S (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Lib.)
Moulton, William Gamwell. The Sounds of English and German. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1962.
Compares the phonetics and phonemics of English and German. Also discusses stress, intonation, and juncture.
431.5 R91H (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Lib.)
Russ, Charles V. Historical German Phonology and Morphology. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1978.
A text on German phonology and morphology. Contains suggestions for further reading.
Orthography
431.52 St24n (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Stang, Christian. Die neue Rechtschreibung: alle Regeln zum Lernen und Nachschlagen. Berlin; New York: Langenscheidt, 2004.
A concise reference to the new German orthography. Provides explanations of the new rules, exercises, summary of still valid rules, and alphabetical index of about 1000 words with previous and current spelling.
Yiddish language
492.44 St90 1991 (Mod. Lang. & Ling. Ref.)
Stutchkoff, Nahum. Thesaurus of the Yiddish Language. New York: YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, 1991.
