Deutsche Mundarten- German Language
The maps on this page indicate where various European German speaking peoples lived prior to the German Expulsions (Vertreibung) post-World War 2.
Auf deutsch
* Beschreibung: Darstellungskarte der deutschen Mundarten im Jahre 1937. Daneben werden auch die Dialektgebiete in Holland und Belgien angeführt, die in der deutschen Sprachwissenschaft noch bis 1945 als Teil des deutschen Sprachgebietes galten. Diese Gebiete sind farblich blasser gestaltet.
* Zeichner: Postmann Michael
* Lizensstatus: Public domain
English:
* Green: Upper German
* Blue: Central German
* Orange: Low German
* Light orange: Dutch
* Rose (light and intense): Frisian
* Light blue: Limburgish
Description: Representation map of the German dialects in the year 1937. Mapmaker: Postmann Michael
The following map gallery illustrates the historical migration of Germans to the East as well as the pre-World War 1 location of other linguistic groups.
Feb 07, 2011 @ 09:08:29
Mark
Once again a great posting. I especially liked the last map that shows the early language areas starting from 700 AD. That highlights the idiotic claims of “this was ours for thousands of years”.
I am shure you know about the Sorbs in Sachsen and Brandenburg who managed to survive “Germanization” to this day. Now a days of course they are a protected minority and no longer under threat and therefore slowly losing their language.
Cheers
Paul
Nov 24, 2011 @ 06:40:40
To be fair, the German settlement postdates the Slavic settlement by several centuries.
This game of ‘ours! no, ours!’ needs to end. No matter how far back you look, someone else was there first, and unless we manage to reanimate the people of the Hallstatt culture, the original owners aren’t getting it back any time soon.
The region would be so much richer were it not for all this animosity. Now that open borders are back, I deeply hope it begins growing back together.
Nov 24, 2011 @ 07:04:27
HI Phil
If you understood any animosity from me regarding the modern Slavs or the more ancient Pruessy, Pogesanians, Pomesanians or Pomerelians, you sadly misunderstand my writings. See: http://www.many-roads.com/2010/12/18/on-the-vertreibung-expulsions-and-hope/ As for who pre-dates or post-dates who, it is immaterial and also totally dependent upon the region discussed. As for richness and animosity, perhaps everyone needs to forgive themselves first. The past is immutable, it is the future we can influence. And we can move to a better future, if we understand and listen to each other, with open minds. As for those who hurt, regardless the cause, perhaps we need to assuage their fears and actively work together towards a future of understanding and mutual respect.