This Anglicism is ambiguous in German, since it can mean a motorcycling enthusiast, usually enclosed in sinister protective clothing and riding a large and loud two-wheeler, but can also interchangeably mean a completely innocuous bicyclist. The latter sense is possible in English, but is faintly ironic, whereas these values do not apply in German at all. Der Biker (genitive: des Bikers; feminine form: die Bikerin) is capitalized and is pronounced more or or less in English fashion.
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A glossary of some of the most peculiar English-derived words in today's German language, with discussion of the subtle differences that make them dangerous for translators.
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An Anglicism ...
- alters to German orthography (caps, hyphens, inflection)
- is pronounced with German vowels and consonants
- may become narrower or wider in semantic range than the English source ... Read More
A pseudo-Anglicism ...
- comprises English-style syllables
- has a folk etymology claiming an English source
- is unintelligible in meaning to a monolingual English speaker ... Read More
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About the Author
Mare Frisicum is a news correspondent writing in English about events in Germany. He says the German language is like a biotope where he happily spends his days. The Anglicisms are more than just a fascinating word variety growing there. They are also a potentially toxic species: every so often, a false friend or pseudo-Anglicism enters our English writing unawares and makes us look foolish. The original Mare Frisicum, by the way, was that great sheet of water bounded by Hull, Harwich, Harlingen and Husum where words knew no boundaries: the North Sea.
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